The Lions have named an experienced team to start their Currie Cup campaign in Friday night, with two players looking to make their centuries during this year’s competition, being Baywatch Grobbelaar and Wikus van Heerden. Both will start against the Pumas.
Other experience in the starting team include captain Doppies la Grange with 80 caps, Franco van der Merwe with 65 and Jano Vermaak with 71. This is one of the most experienced teams to take part in this year’s competition.
Burton Francis takes the pivot jersey in the absence of Elton Jantjies who is with the Bok squad, with the familiar figures of Josh Strauss and Derick Minnie forming a solid loose trio.
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute; 14 Dylan des Fountain, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies la Grange (capt), 11 Deon van Rensburg; 10 Burton Francis, 9 Jano Vermaak; 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Baywatch Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Pat Cilliers.
Reserves: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Dries van Schalkwyk, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Hein Cronjé, 22 Michael Kilian.
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THAT, on the other hand, is the kind of squad that can go all the way in this watered-down competition!
Another strong contender.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : that tight five is probably the best in the competition… maybe tied with Griquas
Strong team this…..they going to be hard to beat IMO.
@robdylan (Comment 3) : It extends beyond the tight 5 to the whole pack. Not being regional in the S15 has really helped these guys.
Where is Warren Whitely?
I was going to put him in my FL team.
Where is Rory Kockett?
@Pokkel (Comment 6) :
@Pokkel (Comment 7) :
We’re gonna need more trades in this FL I think. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) : I second! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 1) : I remember watching the Lions beat us in the 1999 Currie Cup at Kingspark and they went well in 2007 under Loffie, so I think RWC years suit them.
Are they still paid professionals?
@Pokkel (Comment 6) : good question…must be injured.
@Pokkel (Comment 7) : he’s gone to France
@beet (Comment 10) : well, I guess they’ll know for sure at the end of the month
@robdylan (Comment 11) : Who was the Lion that got the long suspension? Wasn’t it Whiteley.
When is Wylan coming back?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 14) : Rhodes? 😕
@JarsonX (Comment 16) : There you go. My mistake.
Rhodes got the long suspension he is out for two more weeks, Kockett is in France, Murrey still injured and don’t know about Whiteley.
Lions are a strong team if they gather momentum they will be hard to stop
Go Lions
Numbers would be a nice addition when listing squad members. Makes the reading easier. 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : Actually I don’t rate the Lions. They will do well (better) but I don’t think they will be title contenders this year. 👿 On paper the Lions team looks good but I doubt they will perform as well as everyone is making out. They do have one of the easier opening draws though. 😛
@Mutley (Comment 18) : Kockett in France? That is news for me indeed!
Jip Kockett and Pretorius both went to France, Pretorius at Toulon but don’t know where Kockett is.
That’s why Kockett didn’t play against the Sharks, Bondisio played