The Auto & General Lions have made just one change to their starting XV to take on the Bulls in the Super 14 on Friday in Pretoria.Injured centre Doppies le Grange makes way for new cap Walter Venter, according to www.rugby365.com.
New comer to the Lions, Rudi Vogt, will presumably make his debut off the bench.
There are a number of injury worries for the Lions.
If Louis Strydom starts on Friday, Jaco van Schalkwyk will move to the bench.
If Louis doesn’t pass a fitness test at the captains run on Thursday, Jaco van Schalkwyk will start with Jannie Boshoff moving to the bench.
In that case Rudi Vogt will not play.
Jaco Pretorius looks fit and ready to start on Friday.
The Lions know how important a win will be this coming Friday after loosing their first two home games, but as coach Eugene Eloff says all the games are important – not only the home games.
“It’s a myth that homes games are the most important, in this competition you must win as many games as possible, including the away games,” Eloff said.
Captain Ernst Joubert was wary of the Bulls after their loss.
“They’re a good side, and always difficult after a loss,” the flank said.
He said he was not concerned with the Bulls’ problems regarding their suspensions and injuries.
“We’ll just focus on our own game.”
Meanwhile, the Bulls team has also been confirmed.
Bryan Habana returns from injury in the place of Danwel Demas.
Morne Steyn moves from flyhalf to inside centre, replacing Wynand Olivier who will play outside centre in the place of the suspended JP Nel.
Derrick Hougaard will be back at flyhalf after he benched against the Sharks due to the rotation system.
In the pack Bakkies Botha will play at lock with Danie Rossouw moving to the flank. Deon Stegman will move to the bench.
Frans Ludeke decided to select a five/two bench with Dewald Potgieter back after his one week suspension.
The 21-year-old Dean Greyling will make his Super 14 debut from the bench after the suspension of Jaco Engels as well as 20-year-old Stephan Dippenaar.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Wynand Olivier, 12 Morné Steyn, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Fourie du Preez (captain), 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Danie Rossouw, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Derick Kuün, 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 James vd Walt, 17 Werner Kruger, 18 Dean Greyling, 19 Deon Stegmann, 20 Dewald Potgieter, 21 Heini Adams , 22 Stephan Dippenaar.
Auto & General Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Jaco Pretorius/Jaco van Schalkwyk/Jannie Boshoff, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Joe van Niekerk, 7 Ernst Joubert (captain), 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Gerhard Mostert, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reynecke, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Rudi Vogt, 22 Jannie Boshoff/Thabang Molefe.
Date: Friday, March 7
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.05 (17.05 GMT)
Referee: JC Fortuin (South Africa)
Touch judges: Mark Lawrence (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Banks Yantolo (South Africa)
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Blessing in disguise for Lions if Strydom doesn’t pass the fitness test…
Agree
It galls me to say this, but I feel the Bulls will take this one.
With Bakkies and Habana back, my Sb pick has been decided for me.
yes, mine too. But only because they’re at Loftus and the Lions are carrying injuries.
Probably a Bulls win, but the Lions could take this one.
I think the Bulls will unfortunately win this one. The Lions have quite a few injuries (as RD has pointed out). Was really hoping the Bulls would lose 3 in a row. Go Lions!!!
Thabang Molefe…might just make it to the bench. I really think this guy has potential.
he likes to step, that’s for sure 😉
No man Robd how can you say the Bulls will take this..they are useless at present and will in all probability be for the rest of the season..Nope the Roar will be handing the loftus faithfull 3 losses in a row coming this weekend..Its time!, Lions when last have we won at Loftus, the Bull is weak and there for the kill..we just need to pounce!
Quinny the Bulls come off of two losses one of which they feel they unjustly lost.
The Lions are going to face a backlash. Habana is not going to knock the balls or be in the wrong place as Demas did/was.
Bulls by 15 plus IMO.
CSB, from your lips to God’s ears, my old friend 😉