Former Sharks flanker Mike Rhodes has been included on the Lions bench for their encounter against the Leopards, after seeing his suspension for dangerous play in the Super Rugby match against the Highlanders finally come to an end. Josh Strauss takes over the captain’s armband from the injured Doppies la Grange.
Former Cheetahs centre Alwyn Hollenbach will run in La Grange’s vacant number 12 jersey, in the only change to the run-on side that decimated Griquas in Kimberley last week. Dylan des Fountain comes onto the bench in Hollenbach’s place, while Rhodes takes over the number 19 jersey from the unlucky Dries van Schalkwyk, who drops out this week.
Lions: 15 Michael Kilian; 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Deon van Rensburg; 10 Burton Francis, 9 Jano Vermaak; 8 Josh Strauss (capt), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Baywatch Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pat Cilliers.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 JC van Rensburg, 18 Joe Snyman, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Hein Cronjé, 22 Dylan des Fountain.
Note: A late-breaking development sees Lionel Mapoe ruled out due to a knee injury. Des Fountain comes in at right wing in this revised team:
Lions: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Daylon des Fountain, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Patric Cilliers
Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Hein Cronje, 22 Jannie Boshoff/Andries Coetzee
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Lions by plenty
I like this team . for me Doppies is a bit past his sell by date . Alwyn does a lot better . Would maybe have liked to see Hein Cronje and Joe snyman start for this game but hey beggars cant be choosers
3 wins in a row for the Lions.
Long live the Currie Cup!
@CapeShark (Comment 3) : Well you are playing the 3 weakest(historically) teams in a row
@JarsonX (Comment 4) : I heard the Lions had to hire a speechwriter to help write the winning captain’s speech….
Okay, I stop now…
@CapeShark (Comment 5) : Hehehe
@CapeShark (Comment 5) : Yeah, and they keeping him on to write the speech when we lift the trophy. Same guy, apparently, that the sharks hired during super rugby, but he found himself out of work well before the end of the competition.
@CapeShark (Comment 3) :
@Greg (Comment 7) : True
You can put money on the Sharks every Super season to hit a wobbly on the final bend.
What I’ve always like about the Lions is their backline running rugby, if you had to combine the Sharks scrum with the Lions backline = UNSTOPPABLE!
Where’s Warren Whiteley?
@JustPlainSHARK (Comment 10) :
he is injured . will be out for another 2 – 3 weeks
@CapeShark (Comment 9) : Well that’s what we are trying to do: Warren Whitely, Jo Snyman, Pat Cilliers, Mike Rhodes, Willem Alberts coming back soon …..
@Greg (Comment 12) : Willem Alberts will NEVER go back to the Lions. Trust me on that
@Zibbie (Comment 11) :
Thanx. Traded him…..any idea how long Taute will be out?
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Never is a long time, but certainly not while manie is still there, if he weren’t, things could well be different!
(you did notice the smiley faces though?)
team updated – Mapoe is out
What happened to Chavanga and Mjekevu?
@Ossa (Comment 17) : Not sure about Chavanga, Mjekevu is playing for the u21 side
Who?
Who are the lions?
@Honey Badger (Comment 20) : That team that will be playing in the CC first division next year.
@Ben (Comment 21) :
@Ossa (Comment 17) : Mjekevu is also injured this week so couldnt have been considered. Not sure if they will go with Boshoff or Coetzee the U21 fullback. Would also like to see Hein Cronje get more time at 10. If he is just going to warm the bench every week he should play for the U21s.
Good team but would have liked to see Cronje at 12