Article from www.lionsrugby.co.za

This weekend represents one of the most important fixtures for the Xerox Lions as they host the Boland Kavaliers at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday at 3pm.

After the disappointment of last week’s loss to Griquas, a huge setback in terms of the team’s semifinal aspirations, they have to climb back on the horse and make sure they achieve the desired result which is nothing short of a comprehensive five-pointer to get their campaign back on track.

The final two weeks of the pool stages don’t come easy with an away match against The Sharks and then hosting Western Province in the final game before the play-offs, and picking up points when available is the paramount aim.

The congestion on the log means that the final three weeks are going to be filled with excitement and drama as six teams vie for just four places with no-one assured of anything as matters stand.

Coach Hans Coetzee has made a number of changes to the starting lineup, rotational and enforced as Alwyn Hollenbach shifts to the fullback position in place of Earl Rose who reverts to the bench with Jannie Boshoff selected at outside centre. Chris Jonck gets a start at scrumhalf

Willem Alberts is back after initially being named last week but being forced to miss the game, with Derick Minnie shifting from eighthman to flank and Cobus Grobbelaar completing the loose-forward trio as he leads the side on the other flank.

Franco van der Merwe will partner Willem Stoltz at lock with Nico Luus named on the bench this week while the front row trio of Gert Muller, Hans van Dyk and JC Janse van Rensburg remains intact.

Xerox Lions Team

15. Alwyn Hollenbach
14. Dusty Noble
13. Jannie Boshoff
12. Doppies la Grange
11. Johan Jackson
10. Herkie Kruger
9. Chris Jonck
8. Willem Alberts
7. Derick Minnie
6. Cobus Grobbelaar (c)
5. Franco van der Merwe
4. Willem Stoltz
3. Gert Muller
2. Hans van Dyk
1. JC Janse van Rensburg

Reserves:
16. Derek Harwood
17. Kevin Buys
18. Nico Luus
19. Todd Clever
20. Earl Rose
21. Walter Venter
22. Jaco Taute