The Lions team to take on the Cheetahs in their derby match this weekend has been announced, with a team that closely emulates the team that lifted the Currie Cup not more than 4 months ago.
There seems to be some confusion surrounding this team, with certain sources claiming Michael Killian is injured, and others that he is on the bench. So the only REAL injury is that of Michael Rhodes, who we can sure of will not take the field.
The loose trio of Grobbelaar, Minnie and Strauss will have to face up to the likes of Heinrich Brussouw and Devon Raubenheimer to get the ball in hand. The most interesting match up of the match will be Elton Jantjies facing up to Johan Goosen in the battle of the young pivots.
Lions: Jaco Taute ; Deon van Rensburg, Doppies la Grange, Alwyn Hollenbach, James Kamana; Elton Jantjies, Michael Bondesio; Josh Strauss ©, Derick Minnie, Baywatch Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden/Hendrik Roodt, Pat Cilliers, Callie Visagie, JC van Rensburg.
Reserves: Martin Bezuidenhout, CJ van der Linde, Hendrik Roodt/Stephan Greeff, Warren Whiteley, Tian Meyer, Butch James, Michael Killian
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Bondesio & Kamana played SR last year mate.
Its a pity Rhodes is injured ..I have high hopes for this guy to make a serious impact this season.
Well balanced lose trio and a settled backline.
After a broken leg I’m hoping to see Kamana work his magic.
Is Tiaan Meyer the ex-Sharks Tiaan Meyer, or am I right in saying he was Tian Meyer?!
@hendrikp (Comment 1) :
I take that back. Double checked, and Bondesio sat on the bench twice last season, but didn’t get onto the field.
Kamana has played though.
@hendrikp (Comment 4) :
Thanks.. Sorry about that..
I wasn’t sure, but it was in my source article, which must be wrong. Generally when something like that is in an article, you can take it as true..
Article amended accordingly..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) :
Its my understanding he is the x-Shark .
lions need a decent scrummy.
Cheetahs will need to defend to win this game.
If they allow any long range tries, or turn over ball in their own 22, they can kiss this game goodbye. 😐
@MJ (Comment 7) :
Bandesio didn’t let us down last year …his work rate and tackling was sublime in the CC final ..
Sure he is no Vermaak or Hougaard but for now he’l have to do, its our back-up that concerns me …I guess we can always turn to Doppies as a last resort.
@csb (Comment 9) : agree, but you can’t judge him just on the final. just don’t think his service is good engough to bring the best out of jantjies, but we’ll have to see.
@MJ (Comment 7) : I think Bondisio is a decent scrummy.
@MJ (Comment 10) :
Sure you can’t but he certainly isn’t a bad player …
imo its his service thats keeping him first choice.
He got to the rucks alot quicker than Vermaak and has a crisp pass ..I guess all will be revealed come Sat evening.
ok . it seems Killian wil be in place of Mapoe and CJ will be on the bench
@Zibbie (Comment 13) :
Serious?
Killian is injured though?
@Zibbie (Comment 13) :
So is Mapoe injured ? or just lacking game time.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 14) :
Thats what I thought but word is he is fit to play ..very confusing.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 14) :
Note sure . all i heard from my source is that killian will be in place of mapoe .
@csb (Comment 16) :
@Zibbie (Comment 17) :
I have checked two sources, and both have the same team as we do here..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 18) :
http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/1737-mitchell-sitcks-to-the-tried-and-trusted-with-tn-lions-team-
Am thinking that’s probably the right one!
@Greg (Comment 19) :
hehe . greg . check the last name on that link’s team sheet please 😛
then come bow down to my awesomeness 😛
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 18) : Richard your bench is missing loose forward cover. Warren Whiteley.
@chucky (Comment 21) :
Thank you
Man I hope the Cheetahs get their act together and pump these Okes.
I like Taute and Roodt tho and Elton when he’s in the x-factor mood. Also looking forward to seeing what Callie Visagie has to offer. So what is that 2 debutants for the Lions? 3 if Meyer gets on.
If the lions lose this one the Cat will be amongst the pigeons!
Don`t really think they will though.
@Zibbie (Comment 20) : It says Michael Killian ❓
@Greg (Comment 25) :
hehe . yes 😛
@Original Pierre (Comment 24) :
i like the Lions being talked down . that is usually when they win 😛
Truth is if the Lions have any aspirations to do well in this tournament then we should be beating this Cheetahs side.
@csb (Comment 28) :
Very good point..
Ross Cronje?
@GreatSharksays (Comment 30) : Also Injured.
And Guy Cronje is playing Varsity Cup..
@csb (Comment 28) :
i agree ! no more excuses !! we need to win this one !!
but i think Mitch will have the players minds in the right place .
I BELIEVE !!!
@Zibbie (Comment 33) :
Dude its seriously Now or never for us … from what I hear this may very well be our last season …
Better to burn out than to fade away 😀
I BELIEVE too 😎
@csb (Comment 34) : Doomed I tell you, doomed!
Unless you buy JP du Plessis, Johan Goosen or Coenie vd W. Then you guys will win the WC and the Nobel prize for Astrophysics.
Act now before its too late. Only you can save Lionkind.
@Big Fish (Comment 36) :
😆 the end is nigh …
I’m playing euro lotto as I type in the hope I can bail the canned Lions out of obscurity … 😛
“>csb (Comment 37) :The Lions don’t need fancy European money, all they need is the strategic assassination of one Cheeky namesake of the guy Sherlock regularly flips off
@Big Fish (Comment 36) : He’s from the house in the East not the West
L
I
O
N
S
!
@csb (Comment 46) : Cute
@Die Kriek (Comment 47) :
😆
@csb (Comment 40) : @csb (Comment 41) : @csb (Comment 42) : @csb (Comment 43) : @csb (Comment 44) : @csb (Comment 45) :
What he said !!!!