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The Lions are entrusting two talented players to step up in the absence of two Springboks when they host the Dragons at Ellis Park on Saturday. As expected, Bok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg misses out due to a leg injury sustained against Edinburgh last week and is replaced in the starting lineup by 23-year-old Nico Steyn with Haashim Pead on the bench. The Lions also confirmed on Friday that Springbok prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye is absent this weekend due to his Saids (South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport hearing, which is currently underway. Ntlabakanye, who tested positive for a banned substance last year, did not train with the team this week, so his No 3 jersey is taken by 22-year-old RF Schoeman. MORE: Lions to unleash ‘wild dog’ on Dragons There are also changes to the second row, with Etienne Oosthuizen returning from illness to partner Reinhard Nothnagel, who replaces Darrien Landsberg. The Lions remained seventh on the Vodacom URC log after beating Edinburgh 54-17 last weekend, while the Dragons’ 29-21 loss to the Stormers left them languishing in 15th. AFRICA PICKS: URC Round 14 – Betting preview LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronjé, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Bench: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel. Weekend teams Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images The post Lions back duo to slay Dragons appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

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All Blacks brewing something special

The All Blacks new coaching ticket has raised the stakes for this year’s Greatest Rugby Rivalry tour, writes MARK KEOHANE. Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane says the intrigue is not just about rankings or recent results, but the collective strength of a coaching group that signals intent and experience ahead of a full tour to South Africa. The appointment of Dave Rennie as head coach, backed by a globally seasoned support staff, has shifted the narrative from caution to anticipation. The All Blacks are no longer rebuilding; they are recalibrating for immediate impact. “What’s brewing is the quality of the All Blacks coaching group,” Keohane writes. MORE: Rennie’s All Blacks assistants revealed Rennie’s track record is complemented by assistants Mike Blair and Tana Umaga, while forwards coach Jason Ryan provides continuity from previous regimes. The key addition, however, is Neil Barnes, whose influence in New Zealand rugby has long been respected. Keohane believes Barnes completes the puzzle, adding the authority and experience that was missing. “This will change in the next 18 months because all the talk is that he is the glue that was missing.” UMAGA: Unbelievable to be back The Springboks remain world No 1, but this is not a warning as much as it is a promise of what lies ahead. A full All Blacks tour, underpinned by a hardened coaching group, ensures the rivalry will rise again. The biggest rugby story of the week was not in the URC, but in the All Blacks’ coaching box. FULL COLUMN Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images The post All Blacks brewing something special appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

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