Venter to make Lions debut off the bench against All Blacks

Venter was named on Monday ‌among the replacements and is in line ‌to make his Lions debut after signing ‌for them, having played for Edinburgh in Scotland.

There could also be a debut for ‌former Springbok loose forward Sikhumbuzo ⁠Notshe, who previously ‌played club rugby in France and is also ​on the bench.

The Lions’ other Springbok squad member, scrumhalf Morné ​van den Berg, has not been released, increasing his chances of a run out ⁠against the ​All Blacks in Saturday’s second test in Cape Town.

The clash is the last of four games against provincial opposition for ‌the touring All Blacks, who have already beaten the Stormers in Cape Town, Sharks in Durban and Bulls in Pretoria.

The All Blacks played at Ellis Park last Saturday and handed South Africa a 33-16 defeat in the first test of the four-match series

Lions team:

Starters: 15-Quan Horn, 14-Kelly Mpeku, ‌13-Henco van Wyk, 12-Richard Kriel, 11-Erich ​Cronje, 10-Chris Smith, 9-Nico Steyn, 8-Francke Horn (captain), ‌7-Batho Hlekani, 6-Siba Mahashe, 5-Ruan Delport, 4-Etienne Oosthuizen, 3-Sebastian Lombard, 2-PJ Botha, 1-SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16-Morne Brandon, 17-Boan Venter, 18-RF Schoeman, 19-Hyron Andrews, 20-Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21-JC ⁠Pretorius, 22-Haashim Pead, ⁠23-Boeta Chamberlain

All Blacks team:

Starters: 15-Beauden Barrett, 14-Fehi ​Fineanganofo, 13-Rieko Ioane, 12-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 11-Emoni ‌Narawa, 10-Richie Mo’unga, 9-Noah Hotham, 8-Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 7-Ethan Blackadder, 6-Wallace Sititi, 5-Patrick Tuipulotu, 4-Sam Darry, 3-Pasilio Tosi, 2-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1-Siale Lauaki

Replacements: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18-Saula Mau, ⁠19-Jamie Hannah, 20-Peter ⁠Lakai, 21-Kyle Preston, ‌22-Josh Jacomb, 23-Anton Lienert-Brown