Lions pick 3 URC players in Currie Cup team to face Sharks

Lions Currie Cup coach Mzwakhe Nkosi has named an exciting match-day 23 for Saturday's clash against the Sharks at Ellis Park.

The starting XV boasts three players fresh from United Rugby Championship duty, namely prop JP Smith and the Tshituka brothers, Emmanuel and Vincent.

The backline promises to deliver a few exciting runs, with Jurich Claasens and Vaughen Isaacs picked as halfbacks.

The Lions are at the bottom of the Currie Cup standings after two disappointing defeats to Western Province (48-36, Cape Town) and the Pumas (50-9, Johannesburg).

"We've had four weeks to reflect and work on quite a few aspects of our game which we felt needed attention," said Nkosi.

"As management, we believe the hard work the guys put in over past four weeks will reap rewards as we resume our campaign."

Saturday's clash kicks off at 17:00.

Lions

15 Quan Horn, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 James Mollentze, 12 Matt More, 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 Vaughen Isaacs, 9 Jurich Claasens, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Simon Dinisio, 4 PJ Steenkamp, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (captain), 2 Dameon Venter, 1 JP Smith

Substitutes: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Banele Mthenjane, 18 Chergin Fillies, 19 Lunga Ncube, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Ginter Smuts, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23, Tyler Bocks

Sharks