Springbok hopeful Earl Rose has been benched by the Golden Lions for their midweek encounter with the British and Irish Lions, in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Rose and scrumhalf Jano Vermaak, who both featured in the South African training squad that played against Namibia in Windhoek last Friday, have been released to play against the tourists.
However, new Golden Lions coach Hans Coetzee – just like his predecessor Eugene Eloff, which he replaced in controversial fashion last week – preferred Louis Ludik as his fullback and Springbok André Pretorius at flyhalf in the starting XV.
Scrumhalf Vermaak will partner Pretorius at halfback, but Rose will play off the bench.
Rugby 365 reports that the Golden Lions team named on Monday does not differ much from that which Eloff picked for most of the season.
The biggest changes are at lock – where the Golden Lions will be without Anton van Zyl – signed with Western Province – and veteran Jannes Labuschagne, injured.
Veteran second row forward Willem Stoltz has come out of semi retirement and Boland journeyman Brad Mockford will partner him in the second row. Mockford is on trial with the Golden Lions.
The team shows very few changes from that which ended the Super 14 with a credible performance against the Waratahs – – going down 33-38.
Leopards centre Deon van Rensburg, who played for the Royal XV against the B&I Lions in their opening tour match at the weekend, has been replaced in the Golden Lions midfield by Jannie Boshoff.
On the flank Cobus Grobbelaar returns to captain the team, following his lengthy injury-enforced lay-off.
Another injury related change is on the bench, where Hans van Dyk has been replaced by Saracens-bound Ethienne Reynecke.
Golden Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Michael Killian, 13 Jannie Boshoff, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Dusty Noble, 10 André Pretorius, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Brad Mockford, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Lawrence Sephaka.
Replacements: 16 Ethienne Reyneke, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Ernst Joubert, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Earl Rose.
Date: Wednesday, June 3
Venue: CocaCola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Marius Jonker
TMO: Johann Meuwesen
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Boland journeyman Brad Mockford will partner him in the second row. Mockford is on trial with the Golden Lions
WATCH this guy, he IS good.
I hope Kette realises this dinner she is organising better be over by 20:00 so I can be home by 20:10 ❓
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) :Not likely
I thoguht Ettas had buggered his shoulder?
@Claytie (Comment 3) :
I ask for nothing more than to be able to watch 10 Lions games every 12 years and then i have to miss a few becuse of little things like dinners and trips to swaziland and the tugela mouth etc. 👿 🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) :
Actually the two games I will be missing completely are not so bad.
WP and the Emerging boks.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : thats married life for you 😆 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : eish bra – I’m missing the first TEST because of a birthday party!
Then again, it’s a birthday party with hog roast, beer garden and live band!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : Swazi as in the bush or is there a chance of making it to a nearby pub 🙄 😆
No goodbye present for the two guys who have moved onto greener pastures I see.
OK, so it seems Loffie and the new guys selections are pretty much the same, so I can presume that there was not much buddy, buddy business with the existing squad.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) : I don’t allow the missus to arrange anything on rugby weekends. She has to consult the rugby calendar….oh and football and cricket! 😆 😆
That’s why I got married in January…didn’t clash with anything! 😛
no fourie ❓ still getting married.
though listening to you guys
Lions actually don’t have a bad bench….some guys that can make a decent impact!
@Villie (Comment 14) : yeah… pity about teh starting XV 🙂
@Whindy (Comment 9) :
Bush with NO electricity, although the Simunye Country club is a 15min drive away. maybe I should investigate that, but that is only for the Emerging Boks match which MAY not be of interest in Swaziland.
@Villie (Comment 12) :
😆 Same here Jan 27. No Rugby or sport clashes of any sort. 😛
@JarsonX (Comment 7) :
yup its soooooooo hard 🙄 😆
@KSA Sharkette (Comment 18) :