The Lions will head out to the south of France for Saturday’s tricky EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Montpellier (7.30pm kick-off) boosted by the return from injury of Springbok fullback Quan Horn, while exciting young backline prospect Kelly Mpeku is embarking on his debut tour.
However, the bad news on the injury front ahead of the third-round clash is the continued injury absence of winger Rabz Maxwane, lock Reinhard Nothnagel, forward Sibabalo Qoma and centre Henco van Wyk.
Lock Ruben Schoeman is also currently serving a five-match suspension due to ill-discipline.
Ruan Venter, Kade Wolhuter, Morné Brandon and Franco Marais will be available from next week for the Lions, who are in fourth place in their pool that is topped by Montpellier.
They lost 30-14 to Ospreys away in round one and beat Section Paloise (Pau) 43-35 at home in Johannesburg in the second round.
They face a tough encounter against a Montpellier team riding high after comfortably dispatching the self-same Ospreys 59-15 in their last Challenge Cup match and beating the Dragons in their opener.
The French giants are also enjoying a fine run in the Top 14.
Adding to the difficulty for the Lions is the expected cold conditions where they have often struggled to impose their game on the opposition.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen’s team are feeling energised after their two-week break, however, and Bok fullback Horn’s return will only add to their optimism of an upset win. | Independent Media Sport
Lions Squad
Forwards: PJ Botha, Ruan Delport, Izan Esterhuizen, Francke Horn, Darrien Landsberg, Morgan Naudé, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Etienne Oosthuizen, JC Pretorius, Juan Schoeman, RF Schoeman, WJ Steenkamp, Ruhan Straeuli, Conraad van Vuuren, Jaco Visagie
Backs: Erich Cronjé, Sam Francis, Quan Horn, Rynhardt Jonker, Marius Louw, Tapiwa Mafura, Sanele Nohamba, Nico Steyn, Edwill van der Merwe, Gianni Lombard, Kelly Mpeku