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Edinburgh vs Lions: Boan Venter starts against his former club at the Hive

The loosehead prop, who joined the Lions from Edinburgh at the end of last season, faces the URC log leaders at 20:45 SAST on Friday 23 October.

Follow-up to Edinburgh vs Lions to go ahead on Friday a week after Hyron Andrews' death

By RuckBee Newsroom1 min read
A bearded rugby player in a red jersey stretches on the grass at Hive Stadium under floodlights while players in navy wait behind.
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Boan Venter starts at loosehead for the Lions against the club he left at the end of last season, and his new teammates have used what he knows about Edinburgh to prepare for the game.

The test is a big one. Edinburgh have won all three of their matches so far, which puts them top of the URC log and makes them the only side still unbeaten this season. Kick-off at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh is at 20:45 SA time on Friday 23 October, and the match is live on SuperSport.

A hard week for the Lions

The Lions arrive from a painful stretch. The week before, they lost to Stade Rochelais in the Champions Cup, a match in France played the day after the death of their teammate Hyron Andrews.

"To say it was a rough week is probably an understatement, but the support we received from almost everyone was huge," said Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys.

There is plenty riding on the result. SuperSport reported that the Lions are seventh on the log with a top-eight place at stake. Last season they went as far as the URC quarterfinals.

Edinburgh expect a fight

Edinburgh head coach Sean Everitt is not taking the visitors lightly. "We have always had tough games against the Lions, they a good team with a strong set piece and are a threat in transitions," he said.

Matt Currie and Magnus Bradbury share the captaincy for the hosts. Lock Marshall Sykes, named among the replacements, is set to play his 100th game for the club.

Peter Martin of the IRFU will referee. It is his 17th URC match.

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