In the latest edition of the Lions’ contenders we look at the men that dictate the flow of the game once the hard wok has been done by the big men up front – the Scrumhalves.

Scrumhalves are not the biggest players in any squad, by any means, but often the nuggiest and most skillful of the whole bunch.

They often talk too much as well!

ROSS CRONJE

Name: Ross Cronje
Position: Scrumhalf
Physical: 1.81m; 88kg
Born: 26.07.89, Johannesburg
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 17 (Career)
Provincial Points: 157 (10t, 28c, 17p)
Provincial Debut: 2009 v Cheetahs
Super Rugby Caps: 1
Super Rugby Points: –
Super Rugby Debut: 2009 v Lions (Sharks)

Cronje makes his debut for the Lions in the 2012 Super Rugby after spending the past two years with the Sharks. Cronje represented the KwaZulu Natal based team in the 2009 Vodacom Cup and Super Rugby competitions, the 2010 Vodacom Cup and U21 Currie Cup and the 2011 Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup teams.

In 2009 he represented South Africa in the IRB Junior World Championships. Cronje is just 22 years of age, and following his achievements at the Sharks in the 2011 Currie Cup competition, much is expected of this youngster in the 2012 Super Rugby.

We can expect Cronje to fight for a place on the bench with Tian Meyer, the Puma’s scrumhalf who has been drafted into the Lions’ expanded squad.

MICHAEL BONDISIO

Name: Michael Bondesio
Position: Scrumhalf
Physical: 1.77m; 84kg
Born: 10.03.85, Johannesburg
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 66 (Career)
Provincial Points: 65 (13t)
Provincial Debut: 2008 v Valke (Leopards)
Super Rugby Caps: –
Super Rugby Points: –
Super Rugby Debut: –

Bondesio made his debut for the Lions senior team during the 2011 Absa Currie Cup competition.

He impressed from the first game when he stepped up to the plate in workmanlike fashion following the hasty departure of Jano Vermaak to the Bulls – so much so that he became a fixture in the team playing every match, up to and including the final match which saw the Lions winning the competition.

Bondesio is an explosive scrumhalf who is not scared of taking risks on the field and is widely admired by his peers for his strong work ethic.

He will be making his Super Rugby debut this year, where his lack of experience at this level may just be a small cause of concern for the coaching staff.

TIAN MEYER

Name: Tian Meyer
Position: Scrumhalf
Physical: 1.76m; 76kg
Born: 20.09.88
Province: Ford Pumas
Provincial Caps: Not Available
Provincial Points: Not Available
Provincial Debut: Not Available
Super Rugby Caps: –
Super Rugby Points: –
Super Rugby Debut: –

Meyer impressed in the 2011 Currie Cup for his province the Ford Pumas to such an extent that John Mitchell drafted him into the Lions super Rugby squad.

The quick as lightning scrumhalf will most likely see action from the bench where he will battle with Ross Cronje for game time.