Van den Berg back for Lions

The Lions have immediately brought back their lightning rod, scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, to their starting line-up as they look for a first win in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, against Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.

After two losses in as many games, the Lions are desperate for a win and will be hoping Van den Berg’s experience at the Springboks will do them well.

Also back in the starting line-up is Bok tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye, but possibly the most important player to return other than Van den Berg is flanker JC Pretorius, who was exceptional last season.

The Lions were well beaten at the breakdown by Zebre last weekend, and they will be hoping Pretorius can turn the tide in their favour.

TEAM: Quan Horn; Eduan Keyter, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Angelo Davids; Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg; Francke Horn (captain), Ruan Venter, JC Pretorius, Ruan Delport, Etienne Oosthuizen, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Franco Marais, SJ Kotze.

REPLACEMENTS: Morne Brandon, RF Schoeman, Conrad van Vuuren, Darrien Landsberg, Jarod Cairns, Nico Steyn, Sam Francis, Mannie Rass.