Pumas duo added to wider Lions training squad

Published 12 January 2012 | By grootblousmile

The Lions have given the Pumas duo of Doppies le Roux and Marius Coetzer a chance to book a place in the Lions Super Rugby squad after they were added to the Lions wider Super Rugby group.

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Both players have impressed with the Pumas and could give the Lions some much needed depth ahead of the longest yet Super Rugby season which starts next month.

Doppies le Roux had a brief flirtation with the Bulls at one stage but this is his first chance to break into Super Rugby.

The Lions have already secured the SA Schools duo of Ross and Guy Cronje from the Sharks for their backline and when the squad reported for duty on Monday all the players are fit barring odd niggles here and there.

The Lions will have a full seven weeks before they kick off their first fixture in the competition against the Cheetahs at Coca-Cola Park on February 25.

However, coach John Mitchell will have three warm-up matches in which to determine his best combinations when newcomers to the squad show their potential in the following weeks in an effort to break into the side that won the Currie Cup.

6 Responses to Pumas duo added to wider Lions training squad

  • 1

    4man on 12 January 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Sounds like there might be a few too many “Doppies” on the field! The Lions ahve 3 challenges this year…depth, depth and depth. Lets see if they can go the distance. You are only as good as your last game and the S15 is a challenging obstacle course.

  • 2

    4man on 12 January 2012 at 5:25 pm

    Thinks……”I love talking to myself”.

  • 3

    Just For Kicks on 12 January 2012 at 5:27 pm

    I am surprised that they have done this if the new rumours of bankruptcy that have emerged are true. 15 players laid off

  • 4

    grootblousmile on 12 January 2012 at 5:40 pm

    3 @ Just For Kicks:
    New rumours?

    The Lions were ALWAYS going to reduce their contracted player base, Kevin de Klerk said as much in December when Tank Lanning’s kak rumour surfaced.

  • 5

    Just For Kicks on 12 January 2012 at 5:47 pm

    4@ grootblousmile:It’s reared its ugly head again today, agents phoning De Klerk off the hook, him saying no comment, and so-on. Somehow this one just won’t go away. But I’m starting to think that there’s no smoke without a fire.

  • 6

    Scrumdown on 13 January 2012 at 6:36 am

    @ Just For Kicks:
    Lions had over 60 contracted players. Many who just weren’t cutting it.

    As in any business there has to be “load shedding” of dead wood from time to time.

    I can assure you the Lions are currently FAR better off financially than they were 18 months ago.

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