Ruan Venter starts at blindside flanker as Morne van den Berg returns to face Dragons in a crucial EPCR Challenge Cup clash at Ellis Park on Saturday.

It’s a case of sink or swim for the Lions in the competition this week as the pool stages reach a close with the knockout round, which will play out in April, moving into view.

The Lions’ playoff hopes hang in the balance after last week’s loss in Montpellier, leaving the Johannesburg outfit with a 1-2 record and in fifth place in Pool 2.

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With Montpellier, Pau and Ospreys having already qualified for the playoffs, a win for Ivan van Rooyen’s charges against Dragons is a non-negotiable.

Venter, along with outside centre Henco van Wyk, will run out on the Highveld following long-term injuries, while fellow Springbok Van den Berg returns at scrumhalf after being rested last week.

No 8 Francke Horn takes over the captaincy from Marius Louw, who has been dropped altogether.

The exciting JC Pretorius gets the nod in the loose trio with Jarod Cairns providing cover. Playmaker Gianni Lombard also gets his opportunity this week from the bench.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images