Former Zebre and Vodacom Bulls utility back Richard Kriel will make his debut for the Emirates Lions as they kick off their Vodacom United Rugby Championship quest against the DHL Stormers at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.

Kriel, who left the Bulls and spent one season at Zebre before signing for the Lions, will slot in on the wing for a match where the Lions are hoping to strike an early season blow.

Hooker PJ Botha will celebrate his 50th cap for the franchise while another new recruit, Corne Fourie, will start at loosehead for the game alongside Ruan Dreyer in the front row.

Midfielder Marius Louw will captain the side again this season while Jordan Hendrikse returns to the 10 jersey after a long layoff because of injury.

With several players - including mercurial winger Edwill van der Merwe - not considered due to injury, the Lions have chosen as close to what their strongest side can be for the clash.

Others who are injured include the prop brothers Ruan and JP Smith, flyhalf Gianni Lombard and utility forward Reinhardt Nothnagel.

Fourie believes that the Lions will have to counter the Stormers' attacking plan.

“I was fortunate enough to play a season at the Stormers. I know the personnel and calibre of players they have. Coach John Dobson prides his pack with good first phase, mauls, lineouts, scrums etc. That’s where he wants to launch- from set piece, allowing the backline to run and do the flashy things the Stormers are known for,” he recalls.

TRAINING WELL

Speaking earlier this week, new member of the Lions management team Barend Pieterse says he has been impressed with the team’s work rate during the pre-season and leading up to Saturday’s clash with the Cape side.

Fresh from his role with Namibian national rugby team, the former Lions man is no stranger to European competition, having coached at the Southern Kings in the then Pro 14.

“The way the guys train, the work they do off the field and before training; they are in here early doing their pre and rehab consistently therefore you can’t fault their effort in all the training sessions I’ve been involved in, which bodes well for the season ahead.

Something else that’s encouraging is that we’ve kept the core of the side from last season which is important for us. This helps us with building a bit of consistency which could be the key pillar for our success, not only ahead of Saturday, but for the season,” Pieterse said.

The bench boasts power with Willem Alberts and Ruan Venter while SA A midfielder Henco van Wyk is back after missing most of the season with an injury.

Kick-off in Johannesburg is at 16:05 and the game is live on SuperSport.

Emirates Lions: Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Mannie Rass, Marius Louw (captain), Rabz Maxwane; Jordan Hendrikse, Sanele Nohamba; Francke Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangweni, Darrien-Lane Landsberg, Ruben Schoeman, Ruan Dreyer, PJ Botha, Corne Fourie.

Replacements: Jaco Visagie, Morgan Naude, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Willem Alberts, Ruan Venter, Morne van den Berg, Henco van Wyk, Andries Coetzee.