Lions coach Johan Ackermann has resisted making too many changes to his run-on side after Friday’s defeat to the Hurricanes at home and will take on the Sharks with the same backline. A few changes have been made up front, with more still on the bench.
In a huge blow to the side, talisman loos forward Jaco Kriel will not make the trip down to Durban due to a groin injury. Warwick Tecklenburg comes in to fill what the Lions website quaintly names the “right flanker” position – a term last used in the mid nineties – with Derick Minnie shifting to the open side. In the other change, Jacques van Rooyen starts at loose head prop ahead of Hond van der Merwe.
Marnitz Boshoff, perhaps a little fortunately, retains his position at flyhalf after a poor day with the boot last Friday, with Elton Jantjies covering off the wood.
There’s an entirely new forward contingent on the bench; Julian Redelinghuys and Robbie Coetzee are both fit and appear for the first time, while Ruaan Lerm and JP du Preez are young players looking to make their debuts in the competition. Centre Harold Vorster, named in 23, is also uncapped at this level.
Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Warren Whiteley (c), 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Martin Muller, 3. Ruan Dreyer, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Jacques van Rooyen
Subs: 16. Robbie Coetzee, 17. Schalk van der Merwe, 18. Julian Redelinghuys, 19. JP du Preez, 20. Ruaan Lerm, 21. Faf de Klerk, 22. Elton Jantjies, 23. Harold Vorster
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Mmm. Easy win for the sharks
@Zibbie, You spelled Lions wrong. It’s L I O N S not S h a r k s 😈
Yho! Goodluck to the Sharks’ scrum in the second half 😀
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : Haha. No jaco kriel? And boshoff starts? No wsy José
This team is a formidable one, though they don’t always (yet) appear as that much on paper.
I really wish we were playing someone else this weekend, as apart from the Sharks, the next team I would love to see doing well in the S15 is the Lions – just love their approach to the game.
Unfortunately one of these teams, draw possibility aside, will be sitting with a record of played 2, lost 2 at the start of the season. Not something I would wish either of these teams.
That aside as a Sharks supporter I am relieved that: a) Jaco Kriel wont make the trip, and b) the coach has decided to give Boshoff another shot.
@Zibbie (Comment 4) : Boshoff wasn’t great on Friday, was he?
@JarsonX (Comment 2) : There is an edit option on the site. Wish they could use it to correct their spelling mistakes.
@Ben (Comment 7) : Not inspiring a lot of confidence at the moment im afraid
@Zibbie (Comment 9) :
Wonder if his performance in CC Final has affected him mentally?
@Letgo (Comment 10) : He has been struggling with form since his injury. Might be more of a rhythm thing
@Zibbie (Comment 11) :
Hope he can turn it around.
Just not this week. 😉
@Letgo (Comment 12) : this is an awful thing to say, but I don’t.
I don’t want or need Marnitz Boshoff emerging as a credible flyhalf contender. It doesn’t server any of my purposes.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : It is pretty awful.
😉
@Letgo (Comment 14) : I’m mostly good otherwise
@Zibbie (Comment 9) : He’s landing a 180 that even a pro skater would be proud of. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 13) : Thought I was going to hell alone. 😳
@Southern_Shark (Comment 17) : as Michael Jackson once said, you are not alone
@robdylan (Comment 18) : You’re a smooth criminal Rob.
@Ben (Comment 19) : I’m bad. You know it. Wooooh!
@robdylan (Comment 20) : Don’t be too harsh on The man in the mirror mate. 😆
@Ben (Comment 21) : you know, some days, I just can’t stop…. oh wait. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 22) : You are not alone.
@robdylan (Comment 22) : @Ben (Comment 23) : Universally speaking it’s water Under the bridge.
Game should be a… Thriller! Tadum-tish!
Message to the Sharks. Don’t stop ’til you get enough.
Enough meaning more points than the Lions on the scoreboard. 🙂
Good option by the coaching team to test the bench strength and rotation options. All of these subs are strong contenders. Excited to see what they can do.
I feel like I missed a concert.
@robdylan (Comment 13) : @robdylan (Comment 15) :
😆
With all those Michael Jackson references up there, I’d have thought someone would have said something about “Black or (umm…and) White!”
Getting back to business: even though Kriel is out…and Boshoff is playing…and the front row is not at full strength…this Lions side as that “Hell, they make me nervous!” look about them…
I would rather Jantjies start than Boshoff from a Sharks perspective. Jantjies wasn’t much better when he came on.
This games gonna be a….Thriller.
@money (Comment 32) : His kicking no, but his general play was much better.