Fifty up for Kriel as Lions take aim at Leinster
Utility back Richard Kriel will bring up his 50th performance in a Fidelity Securedrive Lions jersey on Saturday, as his side look to get their first win in Dublin and secure their place in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs against defending champions Leinster.
Kriel, who will play at inside centre, but like his brother David is equally adept at wing, fullback or any other backline position, continues in the midfield as he has with the Lions in some superb form.
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The Joburg team have won six games in a row, but the clash against Leinster, one spot below them in fourth, is their biggest yet, and it is no surprise that Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg this week said it would be “massive” for the team if they could pull off a win.
Not only would it cement their place in the playoffs, but it would go a long way to seeing them claim a top-four spot and home-ground advantage, while dealing a blow to their nearest opposition.
But more than that, it would confirm the Lions as potential title contenders, and their dream run would be no fluke
50 up for Richard Kriel. 🦁👏
Here’s your Fidelity SecureDrive Lions team to face Leinster.@vodacom #URC | #LEIvLIO| #ForOurCity | #LionsPride pic.twitter.com/MUeVRqKyzd — Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) May 8, 2026
Ruan Venter, the Springbok flank, returns to the back row while Etienne Oosthuizen is back in the starting line-up alongside Reinhard Nothnagel for the match.
Erich Cronje and Angelo Davids swap wings, with Cronje on the right for this game, ostensibly to counter the kicking threat that Leinster pose.
Fidelity Securedrive Lions: Quan Horn; Erich Cronje, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Angelo Davids; Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg; Francke Horn (captain), Ruan Venter, Siba Mahashe, Reinhard Nothnagel, Etienne Oosthuizen, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, SJ Kotze.
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