The competition-ending injury picked up by Lionel Mapoe against the Waratahs last week has prompted Lions coach John Mitchell to reshuffle his backline for this weekend’s clash against the Highlanders.
Michael Killian was called up to join the squad as cover for Mapoe, but his late arrival means he will play off the bench this week, with Dylan des Fountain moving out to wing and captain Doppies la Grange also moving one place out to outside centre. Flyhalf Elton Jantjes takes over from Butch James in the number 10 shirt, with the Bok veteran in turn shifting one spot out to inside centre.
The combination of Jantjes and James did well for the Lions in their win over the Brumbies a fortnight ago and Mitchell will be hoping to rediscover some of that magic in Dunedin.
MTN Lions:
15 Jaco Taute, 14 Dylan des Fountain, 13 Doppies la Grange (capt), 12 Butch James, 11 Deon van Rensburg, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Warren Whiteley, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Alwyn Hollenbach, 22 Michael Killian.
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Its going to be a tough match for the Lions..
Highlanders need to win to remain in contention..
Should be a cracker!
Much happier with this backline, can someone tell me why they persevere with Deon van Rensburg? He really doesn’t offer much to the team and has no pace, Killian is LIGHTYEARS better than him.
Des Fountain???????? Is THAT where he vanished to?
I like the Butch/ Jantjies combo, but Droppies doesn’t have the pace for 13.
@Big Fish (Comment 4) : The 10/12 axis looks good, and agreed on the attack 12/13 looks flat – but should be very good defensively.
jantjies was far more effective than butch when he came on last week.
If this combo works, it might be the perfect opportunity to bring back Waylon 😀
@Megatron (Comment 6) : Thats a little unfair, did you not notice how the forwards and Vermaak suddenly decided to supply quick ball. Much easier to work with quicker ball and on the front foot.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : He was playing in Italy I think, he’s only on loan to the Lions at the moment.
I see Andy Marinos has said that F Steyn will be back in the Rainbow Nation shortly. To do what is another question as he played 2000 minutes for Racing. Maybe he saw that Riaan Viljoen is giving him some competition lol
I’ll be there 😎
The highlanders are going to come out guns blazing. But nothing is to stop the Lions from recording another upset and it will go a long way to help the SA team qualify for the playoffs. Let hope the Lions can make it happen, but don’t put any money on it.
@Viking (Comment 12) :
In fact put none on it ! 😉
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 13) : All I can commit to is hope and support. Anyhting else will cost me money.
@Viking (Comment 14) : 😉
I would have gone with Hollenbach. Think he offers a lot more than Dylan des Fountain.
@Original Pierre (Comment 16) : You and SF dont want to make a trippie to Loftus??
Check this out!
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2011/05/25/sharksworld-loftus-rebellion-18-june-2011/
@Original Pierre (Comment 16) : Agree Alwyn would have been a better choice to start, but at 13, des Fountain still at 14, Doppies on the bench and Josh as captain
didn’t see the game but its good for the Lions to win and its a long time coming but i miss old Butch in the B&W but what its happenes to best of teams