No 8 Arno Botha will captain Lyon in Sunday’s EPCR Challenge Cup round-of-16 clash with the Sharks at Matmut Stadium.

The 33-year-old Botha, who played two Tests for the Springboks between 2012 and 2013, starts in a back row with 22-cap France flanker Dylan Cretin and Kiwi utility forward Liam Allen.

Botha’s professional career started with the Vodacom Bulls in 2011, impressing in Super Rugby before recurring injuries, notably to his knee, stalled his momentum.

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He had a short stint with London Irish in 2018 before joining Munster in 2018, scoring eight tries in 43 appearances for the Irish giants. 

Returning to Loftus in mid-2020, Botha featured prominently in back-to-back Currie Cup title wins, and helped the Bulls reach the Vodacom URC final in 2022.

He’s since been a steady presence for Lyon, and extended his contract in 2024 for another season.

The French outfit have lost three of their last four matches, and are currently seventh in the Top 14. Fabien Gengenbacher’s men finished fifth in the EPCR pool stages, thumping the Cheetahs 68-21 to secure their playoff spot.

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