As if it wasn’t bad enough losing their only current Springbok to injury, the Lions now have to face up to the reality that big Franco van der Merwe won’t pull on their colours again. […]
Posts tagged with: Franco van der Merwe
Lions lose Franco (again)
Injuries mounting
After 9 rounds of Super Rugby, the biggest and most concerning trend is injuries. I don’t know if anyone has kept an eye on the numbers, but according to a list on the Sanzarrugby.com website the number has now crept up to 89. That is an average of ten injuries per round. Of the 89 there are 15 season ending injuries, including the likes of Culum Retallick, David Pocock, Pierre Spies, Robbie Robinson, Franco van der Merwe, Patrick Lambie and Pieter-Steph du Toit. Incredibly the Stormers make up a massive 13 of these injuries, 7 of those boasting Bok caps, making those injuries all the more painful for a struggling Stormers side. But they are not entirely alone in this boat. […]
Lions lose Franco
The blows keep coming, with news that Lions lock (and tight-five talisman) Franco van der Merwe has been forced out for the season. […]
Super Rugby Team of the Round – round 5
Let’s pick the best of the South Africans after the round 5 action. Let me know if you agree with these selections or not. […]
Super Rugby Team of the Round – round 2
Let’s have a look at the South African players across Super Rugby this weekend and see if we can pick a local 15 based on the best individual performances. […]
Whiteley leads young Lions pride
Former Glenwood boy Warren Whiteley will lead the Lions back into Super Rugby against the Cheetahs on Saturday. Johan Ackermann has gambled on a side featuring six newcomers at this level. […]
Untested squad for Lions
Lions coach Johan Ackermann has named a squad of 33 players to compete for the 2014 Super Rugby title, with only two capped Springboks in the mix amongst a bevy of unproven players. […]
Lions welcome back big guns
A number of frontline players who missed out when the Lions played a set of warm-up matches against the Leoaprds and PUK last week, return to action as coach Johan Ackermann names a strong side to face the Southern Kings. […]
Where to from here?
The Springboks have had one of their more successful seasons to date, having only lost twice to the All Blacks while beating Australia home and away, and keeping a clean record against Argentina in the Rugby Championship. That’s all great but what do we want to see from the Boks next? […]
Lions team announced
The MTN Golden Lions team to take on the GWK Griquas at Ellis Park on Saturday Afternoon has been announced. […]
Two and a half changes for Boks
Juandre Kruger and Bismarck du Plessis come in for starts as the Boks head into Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider, against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday. […]
Two big blows for Lions
The Lions suffered two serious backline injuries during Friday night’s home loss to the Sharks, according to a report in Beeld this morning. […]
No debut for Pieter-Steph?
The recall of Franco van der Merwe to the Bok camp yesterday, coupled with quotes from coach Heyneke Meyer, seem to suggest that Sharks lock Pieter-Steph du Toit won’t be risked for Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against the All Black at Ellis Park. […]
Bok call-ups for du Toit, Coetzee
Sharks forwards Pieter-Steph du Toit and Marcell Coetzee have been included in Heyneke’s Meyer’s Springbok squad for the home Rugby Championship tests against Australia and New Zealand, after both playing starring roles in Saturday’s big Currie Cup win over the Cheetahs. […]
Elton stays in Joburg
The Lions’ attempts to become a Super Rugby force once more received a boost today with the news that a host of players have recommitted their futures to the franchise. […]