Haashim Pead will make his first start for the Lions in Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup match against Perpignan at the Stade Aime Giral.

The former Junior Boks scrumhalf scored a match-winning try in the Vodacom URC clash against the Sharks in Durban and also came off the bench in the Challenge Cup victory against Lyon at Ellis Park last weekend.

With Springbok Morne van den Berg rested, Pead partners Chris Smith at halfback, while Henco van Wyk returns to the midfield.

Eduan Keyter is recalled on the right wing, adding pace out wide alongside Angelo Davids, with Quan Horn continuing at fullback.

In the pack, Morne Brandon starts at hooker, RF Schoeman comes in at tighthead and Eddie Davids maintains his ever-present record in this season’s Challenge Cup at loosehead.

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Reinhard Nothnagel and Etienne Oosthuizen form a new lock pairing, while Batho Hlekani retains the No 7 jersey after his Man of the Match performance against Lyon. Francke Horn captains the side from No 8, with Renzo du Plessis completing the loose trio.

On the bench, Franco Marais, SJ Kotze and Darrien Landsberg are among the forward reinforcements while Nico Steyn provides halfback cover.

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LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Henco van Wyk, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Eddie Davids.
Bench: 16 Franco Marais, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Siba Mahashe, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Bronson Mills.

Weekend teams

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images