URC: Bok star Morne van den Berg returns as Lions name team to face Benetton

The Bok livewire will partner seasoned flyhalf Chris Smith in the halfback pairing as the Lions look to bounce back from back-to-back defeats on the road.

Another Springbok making his way back into the starting XV is powerful prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who started from the bench against Zebre last week. Flanker JC Pretorius also returns from injury to reinforce the loose trio.

The Lions face a confident Benetton side that edged Glasgow 16-14 in their previous match. With only nine points separating the teams in attack and 15 in defence, the encounter promises to be closely contested.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze

Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Sam Francis, 23 Manuel Rass

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