The Lions have named their team to play the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in a pre-season friendly at Wits on Thursday.
The team is made up of players who were not heavily involved in the recent Tri-Series warm-up matches against the Stormers and the Sharks, and the surprise selection is that of stalwart Wikus van Heerden at lock.
Van Heerden is far more accustomed to playing in the back row, where he has also represented the Springboks, but will partner David Bulbring in the second row for the match.
Impressive flyer Wandile Mjekevu finds himself on the bench and will be eager to impress the coaches with some of his lightning fast finishing that saw him selected for the SA U20 team last year.
Several of the players selected for the match are fighting for a place in the Lions squad for the start of the Super Rugby season, and a good performance against UJ could be enough to make the final cut.
Lions: 15 James Kamana, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Martiz Hoffman, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Marius Delport, 10 Hein Cronje, 9 JP Joubert, 8 Dries van Schalkwyk, 7 Robert Kruger, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Wayne Swartz.
Replacements: 16 Zimri Thurston, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Ronaldo Bothma, 20 Vian van der Watt, 21 Dale Sabbagh, 22 Wandile Mjekevu, 23 Jonathan Mokuena, 24 Dusty Noble, 25 Sebastian de Chaves, 26 Caylib Oosthuizen, 27 Robert de Bruyn.
Article courtesy of Rugby365
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Is this a VC side?
No Burton Francis?
Kemana @fb?marius delport on the wing?wickus v heerden @lock?..thought it only the sharks that play players out of position..
This side is very close to the Vodacom side. One or three could make Mitchell’s final Super squad.
Van Heerden at lock is not the worst option.
I dont think he is able to compete speed wise with the other loosies in the squad but would make a fairly mobile lock and may even prolong his career at the top flight.
Wickus future will be as lock and loose forward cover also mentoring the younger players.
Him along with Baywatch never leave the field wondering and now playing in a organized Lions squad I look forward to the old workhorse.
Isn`t Mjekevu better than Chavanga?
@Original Champion (Comment 6) : Theres alot of hype.I’m not convinced yet
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 7) : hey hey – back from the weskus?
@robdylan (Comment 8) : That I am chief.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 9) : awesome… got papsak all ready for DHLuweland on Sat?
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Jy wiet mos!Its the only thing I’m allowed to drink, no more beer and brandy.The Nortiers may try and test my resolve a little bit though.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : DHL Nuweland.Blegh, its fugly
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 12) : cmon… all that yellow has gotta make you happy…
All that yellow is going to give me convulsions.You will see on Saturday
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 14) : let’s hope the Sharks performance on Saturday gives you convulsions too 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 15) : They painted the media desks yellow dude,its on the railway stand.Railway stand sunlight plus yellow everything equals melted eyeballs.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 16) : maybe they’re hoping people will mistake the glow for the presence of golden cups… 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 17) : Grrrr aaaaargh
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 18) : skerrep, ne?
Do me a favour… kick Jon Cardinelli in the face for me. Should need to lift your foot particularly high.
@Original Champion (Comment 6) :
Nope…he is much slower…less physical (believe it or not) and does not have the skills…
I don’t think Mjekevu will make Mitchell’s final squad…I even think he would pick Nobel ahead of Mjekevu if he needs to pull from teh Vodacom side…
But hey…lets see what Mitchell does…
@Hmmm (Comment 20) : We’ll try make something of Mjekevu if you okes can’t be bothered. I think he’s a fine player.
@robdylan (Comment 21) :
Not at the moment he is not…
He is only 21 or something…so maybe in a few years…he will either need to bulk up or become more physical with the body he has and move into the midfield or get much faster and still bulk up slightly to make it on the wing…
You Sharks steal enough from other teams…if you want him how about actually paying for a change!??! If the price is right he might just move over…
Mjekevu has a bright future ahead.
@Speed7 (Comment 23) :
Ahead…if he changes his rugby amo a bit…
@robdylan (Comment 19) : Ill never disrespect my foot like that
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 25) :
Ha-Ha
Lions C team 119-7 UJ. Final score.
Name : Kamana Age : 25 (15/08/1985)
First name : James Position : Full back
Nationality : New-Zealand
Weight/Height Name : Kamana Age : 25 (15/08/1985)
First name : James Position : Full back
Nationality : New-Zealand
Weight/Height : 87 kg 1 m 85
Moved his whole family over to Joburg , wife and daughter. I wish him all the best and hope he succeeds with the Lions.
Last club he played for was Tasman before that my favourite Waikato. No Supe Rugby experince but has played 7’s for the ABs.
@csb (Comment 28) : Is there two of them? 😉
@Speed7 (Comment 23) :
I agree give him time Iv seen this guy play and not sure where some poster gets their info regarding his pace ..he is quick a bit deceptive like JPP.
Some bulking up and good coaching and he’ll be very Good.
Neglect this Kid and he will be heading to the Sharks ..
@KSA Shark © (Comment 29) :
3 actually 😆 Grapgat 😉
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 25) : 🙂