Lions unleash Junior Bok behemoth Batho Hlekani for Challenge Cup outing

The former Sharks flanker reported for training with his new club last week, and head coach Ivan van Rooyen wasted no time by including the 115kg giant into his matchday squad.

The Gqeberha-born Hlekani has been asked to provide impact from the bench, with a powerful starting line-up announced to take on the physical Lyon. Both sides are yet to register a win in the competition, making Saturday the perfect opportunity to salvage an outside chance entry into the play-off stage of the competition.

Conrad van Vuuren is selected at tight head prop with Asenathi Ntlabakanye nursing a hamstring niggle. Renzo du Plessis gets an opportunity in the back row alongside skipper Francke Horn and Siba Qoma.

Only one change in the backline in the form of Richard Kriel at right wing. There are returns for Henco van Wyk on the bench and Sebastian Lombard from injury. Junior Springbok Haashim Pead and Rabz Maxwane complete the rest.

In his analysis of Lyon, Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys emphasised the quality of their set pieces and the danger they pose once momentum is established.

"The difficult thing about the French teams is that you never know which team you are going to play," Redelinghuys told the Lions' website.

"Home or away, you can never be sure of who is going to be selected. They are very good when they get momentum at the beginning, coupled with a very good kicking game.

"The French are smart when they shoot up and they are careful in their own half until they feel they can make an attack. For us, we know we have to be awake. Obviously, they bring a massive set-piece focus. They pride themselves in that."

Kick off at Ellis Park in Johannesburg is at 17:15.

Lions - 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Henco van Wyk, 23 Rabz Maxwane.

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