Lions targeting key areas as they name side to face Sharks at Ellis Park

The Gauteng outfit, fresh from a four-week European Tour and a short break to recharge their batteries, have named their team to take on the Sharks in front of their own fans at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The team will be bolstered by the inclusion of Springbok duo Willem Alberts at lock and Jaco Kriel at openside flank.

In the backline, scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and pivot Gianni Lombard will once again form the halfback partnership.

Meanwhile, No 8 Emmanuel Tshituka is preparing to face off against his Vincent, who now plies his trade in Durban.

Speaking ahead of the match, Van Rooyen says the team is targeting several key areas as they look to rediscover some of the impressive form they showed earlier in the tournament, as they make a late push for a top-eight finish.

"The aim for us is to be more dynamic on attack as well as with our kicking game," said Van Rooyen.

"If you look at the top teams in this competition, their point of difference is their attacking-kicking game as well as their defensive kicking game. It's been a work on for us on tour because of the conditions and circumstances, but especially back here at home where we've worked hard on the aspects I've mentioned.

"Being back home we feel we need to play differently whether it's on attack or defence. The system is not just going to do for you; there are intricacies in there that require attention. In terms of energy and excitement, the guys have trained well and hard over the past two weeks and are raring to go at home after being away for six weeks. There's a real excitement for this weekend."

Lions - 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabs Maxwane, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith.

Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Morgan Naude, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruhan Delport, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Ruhan Straeuli, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.