The Johannesburg-based side named a match-23 which features experienced scrummager Jannie du Plessis, who will face his former franchise for the return leg of the tournament.

Among the replacements, talented flank Jarod Cairns, who has shown consistent performances in the Carling Currie Cup for the Sigma Lions, could get his opportunity off the bench.

Emirates Lions forwards and lineout coach Albert van den Berg, who himself appeared over a hundred times for the Durbanites across all competitions, earlier this week outlined what his team can expect ahead of the Vodacom URC derby.

“I think it will be a forward dominated battle, particularly when it comes to scrums and mauls,” said Van den Berg.

“Their kicking game is also quite a powerful weapon, so that's an element we've prepared for in our sessions this week. If we can counter those aspects successfully, we feel we’re in with a shout come Saturday.”

The match kicks off at 16h05 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Emirates Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Manuel Rass, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Francke Horn, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel (captain), 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Sibusiso Sangweni, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Henco van Wyk, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.