The Lions team to take on the Cheetahs in a South African derby encounter this weekend, has been announced with a few notable changes.
Up front, Callie Visagie drops to the bench while Martin Bezuidenhout gets a start at hooker, while young Paul Willemse will make his Super Rugby debut, standing at 1,99m tall and weighing 135kg, he is sure to make an impact one way or the other.
Cobus Grobbelaar comes into the starting fifteen ahead of an injured Warren Whiteley. Tian Meyer continues in scrumhalf jersey, keeping Michael Bondesio on the bench. Elton Jantjies also returns to the starting team, with Butch James shifting to inside centre, Jaco Taute shifting back to fullback and James Kamana dropping to the bench.
Etienne Oosthuizen comes onto the bench to cover the loose trio, with Marius Coetzer covering the second row.
Jaco Taute, Deon van Rensburg, Alwyn Hollenbach, Butch James, Andries Coetzee, Elton Jantjies, Tian Meyer, Josh Strauss (capt.), Derick Minnie, Cobus Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Paul Willemse, Patric Cilliers, Martin Bezuidenhout, Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: Callie Visagie, Ruan Dreyer, Marius Coetzer, Etienne Oosthuizen, Michael Bondesio, Lionel Mapoe, James Kamana.
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More info on Deon van der Merwe please.
I like that’s he’s keeping Meyer at SH and Taute is back at FB where he belongs
Paul Willimse, 2m, 125Kg & 19 years old.
Ettiene Oosthuizen, 1,98m, 122kg, 19 years old.
To Quote John Robbie : ” Shuffling the Deck Chairs on the Titanic “.
@Original Pierre (Comment 4) :
I can just hear the band playing ” Nearer My God To Thee” …in the background.
As this is very possibly the Lions last season in SR, I’ll continue to support them till the very last game.
Cannot see us winning this weekend even though its pretty much our last chance saloon …The changes are required though and I’ll hope for the best.
Taute back at 15 and Jantjies starting is good news.
@csb (Comment 6) :
I honestly don’t think that you have to worry about not playing in Super Rugby next year..