The Lions are back from a tour which saw them contest some close matches and their next assignment in the United Rugby Championship is a clash with Zebre Parma in Johannesburg on Saturday
Lions v Zebre, Saturday 25th November, Johannesburg, KO 14:55 (South African time)
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
Assistant referees: Morné Ferreira (South Africa) ; AJ Jacobs (South Africa)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)
Weather Forecast – Johannesburg
Lions:
The Lions were double digit underdogs for last weekend's match away to Ulster but they led 14-7 at half time before being overhauled and they were eventually beaten 24-17.
Earlier tour results saw the Lions edge out the Scarlets 24-23 in what is their only win so far. They went down 15-10 away to Benetton in Round 3 and 17-16 at Edinburgh so they return home having earned something from every tour fixture.
When the Lions hosted the Stormers in Round 1 their late fightback from 32-7 down at one stage in the second half came up just short as they were beaten 35-33.
Against Italian opposition last season the Lions won 32-28 away to Benetton and they beat Zebre 50-35 in Johannesburg.
The Lions come into this round in thirteenth spot with 9 log points.
Zebre:
After going the whole of last season without a victory Zebre are making a much better fist of this season's URC and they are in tenth spot with 1 win, 1 draw and 3 defeats and they have 11 log points against their name.
This is already their third match against South African opposition. When they hosted the Bulls in Round 3 they finished well beaten (54-29) but a round later they edged out the Sharks 12-10 in another home game. Zebre have also picked up losing bonus points at home to Ulster and away to the Ospreys and in their most recent outing they drew 22-22 at home to Cardiff.
In SA last season Zebre crashed 78-12 at the Bulls and went down 50-35 at the Lions.
Team News
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw (captain), 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Sanele Nohamba, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Ruan Delport, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Hanru Sirgel, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Rabz Maxwane
Zebre: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Scott Gregory, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Franco Smith Jr, 11 Simone Gesi, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Giovanni Licata (c), 7 Iacopo Bianchi, 6 Giacomo Ferrari, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Leonard Krumov, 3 Juan Pitinari, 2 Marco Manfredi, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Giampietro Ribaldi, 17 Luca Rizzoli, 18 Matteo Nocera, 19 Guido Volpi, 20 Taina Fox-Matamua, 21 Thomas Dominguez, 22 Geronimo Prisciantelli, 23 Jacopo Trulla
The Betting,
Lions -18.5 points at 9/10
Zebre +18.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Money has come for the Lions with the line moving out from -15.5 to -18.5.
I probably should have got involved earlier in this game as both the handicap and points lines have shifted the latter from 57.5 to 61.5. I was lookingat overs but while conditions will be good as in clear but I can tell you that the temperature is scorching here in Joburg and it feels alot hotter than early 30's.
The points line could well be a trap as there are going to be plenty of stoppages and Zebre will likely look to slow the game down.
It take a brave or a follish man to go unders at the Emirates - I am both of those.
Bet: 4 units under 61.5 at 87/100 at Pokerbet*
*Pokerbet are generally 1st to market with rugby points lines – click here to open an account
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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