Coach Ivan van Rooyen has backed flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela to control the game when the Lions host Ospreys on Saturday in the final URC match at Ellis Park this season.

The 21-year-old former Griquas flyhalf is set to make his URC starting debut after featuring off the bench in three matches this season.

Both teams are out of playoff contention but will be eager to finish their respective URC campaigns on a high. The Lions, 13th, have won two of their three previous meetings with Ospreys.

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Dobela partners Nico Steyn at halfback, with Bok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg still sidelined through injury. In midfield, Henco van Wyk returns from illness to start at outside centre alongside Bronson Mills. The back three consists of fullback Quan Horn, Richard Kriel and Edwill van der Merwe.

Van der Merwe and centre Marius Louw, named on the bench, will each make their final appearance for the Lions after confirming moves away from Ellis Park at the end of the season.

“We have to send them off well,” said tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye. “They have been great servants to the Lions. We need to put on a spectacle for them and end the season off on a high note.”

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In the forwards, Jaco Visagie captains the team from hooker, with Juan Schoeman replacing Morgan Naude at loosehead prop. Ruan Venter continues at lock next to Ruan Delport and the back row remains unchanged with Jarod Cairns at No 8, flanked by JC Pretorius and Renzo du Plessis..

LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Ruan Venter, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (c), 1 Juan Schoeman.
Bench: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Izan Esterhuizen, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kelly Mpeku.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images