It may originally have been billed as a near Super Rugby level clash between the Stormers and the Lions, but things being as they are, Friday nights’ match at Ellis Park will instead be little more than a friendly, pitching the Lions against a weakened and youthful Western Province outfit.
The Lions will be about as strong as they have been this year, with Bok veteran CJ van der Linde named at tighthead in the most significant change to their match day squad. Former Sharks junior Warren Whiteley continues to wear the captain’s armband, a sure sign that the number 8 is set to lead the team in the upcoming Currie Cup campaign.
Scrumhalf Nic Groom and hooker Scarra Ntubeni are the only Super Rugby regulars who have been included in the WP side, with young Tim Swiel set to dazzle at flyhalf assuming his forward pack can provide any sort of ball against the far stronger Lions.
The game will kick off at 19h00 on Friday and be shown on SuperSport.
Lions: 15. Ruan Combrinck, 14. Deon van Rensburg, 13. Stokkies Hanekom, 12. Alwyn Hollenbach, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Michael Bondesio, 8. Warren Whiteley (capt), 7. Derick Minnie, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Hugo Kloppers, 4. Hendrik Roodt, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. Robbie Coetzee, 1. JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16. Francois du Toit, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Gavin Annandale, 19. Willie Britz, 20. Ross Cronjé, 21. Dylan des Fountain, 22. Lionel Cronjé, 23. Kobus de Kock, 24. Julian Redelinghuys.
Western Province: 15. Dillyn Leyds, 14. Pat Howard, 13. Berton Klaasen, 12. Michael van der Spuy, 11. Devon Williams, 10. Tim Swiel, 9. Nic Groom, 8. Rayn Smid, 7. Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 6. Joshua Katzen, 5. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4. Taz Fuzani, 3. Dylan Rogers, 2. Scarra Ntubeni, 1. Ashley Wells.
Replacements: 16. Stephan Coetzee, 17. Allistair Vermaak, 18. Jean Kleyn, 19. Carel du Preez, 20. Ryan Olivier, 21. Godlin Masimla, 22. Kobus van Wyk
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You have to feel for guys like Ross Cronje that leaves their province in place of a spot in a first team but then just ends up on the bench again
Must have missed it, when did Redelinghuys join the Lions?
WP is going to get hammered!
@Die Kriek (Comment 2) : since the 15th of March
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2013/03/15/lions-switch-for-redelinghuys/
@SteelShark (Comment 3) : As in properly hammered.
I only know a few of those WP guys, eina
Why o why? 🙄
Go Province