Krappies back for Lions clash with Edinburgh

The Emirates Lions have made a number of changes ahead of their EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 clash against Edinburgh on Friday night.

Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg returns to the side to add some Springbok power, after joining the side in the week after recovering from an injury.

It's time for knockout rugby! Here is your Match 23 to take on Edinburgh this Friday night.#EDIvLIO #ForOurCity#ChallengeCupRugby#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/fLqkPHh8Ac

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) April 3, 2025

There is still no Henco van Wyk but Rynhard Jonker comes into the midfield for Marius Louw, with the latter dropping down to the bench.

There are wholesale changes among the forwards, with SJ Kotze and Franco Marais coming into the front row, while Jarod Cairns returns to the loose trio in the place of JC Pretorius.

On the bench Jaco Visagie and Izan Esterhuizen will add depth when needed for an impact for the Lions.

EMIRATES LIONS: Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Mannie Rass, Rynhardt Jonker, Edwill van der Merwe; Gianni Lombard, Morne van den Berg; Francke Horn (captain), Ruan Venter, Jarod Cairns, Darrien Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Franco Marais, SJ Kotze.

REPLACEMENTS: Jaco Visagie, Juan Schoeman, RF Schoeman, Izan Esterhuizen, Siba Qoma, Nico Steyn,JC Pretorius, Marius Louw.