Springbok No 8 Warren Whiteley will lead a strong Emirates Lions side Buenos Aires. Coach Swys de Bruin handed a franchise debut to former Junior Springbok front ranker Carlu Sadie, while new faces on the bench include Frans van Wyk, Ruan Vermaak, Gianni Lombard and Wandisile Simelane.

Each of the previous seven meetings between the Jaguares and Emirates Lions was won by the home team on the day, with the men from Jozi currently holding the edge with four wins to three.

The Argentineans will provide a tough test at home, where they have won eight of their last 10 games against South African opposition, including their last four in a row.

What they said:


Emirates Lions coach Swys de Bruin described the Jaguares as a formidable side: “They showed last year how good a side they are when they played so well away from home, and then they make it very difficult for any team that visits Buenos Aires. We expect another tough and physical battle against them.”
Teams:

Jaguares: TBA

Emirates Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies 9 Nic Groom, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith. Replacements: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Frans van Wyk, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Robert Kruger, 21 Gianni Lombard/Dillon Smit, 22 Wandisile Simelane, 23 Ruan Combrinck.

Head to head:
Played: 7
Jaguares won: 3
Emirates Lions won: 4
Jaguares points: 214
Emirates Lions: 244
Average score: 31-35

Match information:

Date: Saturday 16 February
Kick-off: 23h40
Venue: Jose Amalfitani Stadium, Buenos Aires
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Rasta Rasivhenge
Television Match Official: Santiago Borsani
TV: SuperSport1