This is the 1st Article dealing with the MTN Lions Super Rugby squad contenders for Super Rugby 2012.

With the commencement of the Super Rugby competition less that 2 weeks away, it’s time to take a look at the Lions squad and the players we can expect to see, as well as those that are on the fringes.

Today, the Props.

Contenders:

PATRIC CILLIERS

Position: Prop
Physical: 1.86m; 113kg
Born: 03.03.87, Pietermaritizburg
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 68 (Career)
Provincial Points: 60 (12t)
Provincial Debut: 2007 v Western Province (Sharks)
Super Rugby Caps: 19 (Career)
Super Rugby Points:
Super Rugby Debut: 2007 v Lions (Sharks)

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Cilliers has made great strides since joining the Lions from the Sharks.

An extremely mobile Tighthead Prop, Cilliers makes more than his fair share of carries and tackles in open play.

Perhaps the most improved aspect of his game though must be his scrummaging which undoubtedly comes from the fact that he has been receiving increasingly more game time since his move from Durban. Testimony to this improvement was his display in the Currie Cup final, where he anchored the Lions scrum to a convincing display against the Beast and his much vaunted Springbok front row.

Expect Cilliers to carry the majority of the duties in the No 3 jersey for the Lions in this Super Rugby campaign.

CJ vd LINDE

Position: Prop
Physical: 1.90m; 122kg
Born: 27.08.80, Welkom
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 48 (Career)
Provincial Points: 35 (7t)
Provincial Debut: 2002 v Griffons
Super Rugby Caps: 38 (Career)
Super Rugby Points: 15 (3t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2004 v Brumbies
Test Caps: 74
Test Points: 20 (4t)
Test Debut: 2002 v Scotland

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The saying goes that you can’t buy experience, but it seems like the Lions managed to do just that when they signed CJ from the Stormers prior to the Rugby World Cup last year.

A strong scrummager and ball carrier who has more international caps than Super Rugby experience, albeit due to an overseas stint, CJ showed in the Currie Cup final just why      he is so highly regarded internationally.

Expect CJ, together with Patric Cilliers to be the first name on the Lions team sheet throughout the 2012 Super Rugby campaign.

JACOBIE ADRIAANSE

Position: Prop
Physical: 1.78m; 112kg
Born: 19.07.85, Cape Town
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 59 (Career)
Provincial Points: 20 (4t)
Provincial Debut: 2007 v Bulls
Super Rugby Caps: 8
Super Rugby Points:
Super Rugby Debut: 2011 v Bulls

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Another of the Lions young front rowers who have made tremendous strides over the last 12 months.

Adriaanse represented the “baby Boks” at under 19 level at the 2003 and 2004 World Championships.

Originally signed to supplement the larger player base and play in the Vodacom Cup, Adriaanse soon impressed so much that he found himself in the Super Rugby squad under   Kiwi coach John Mitchell’s watchful eye.

Adriaanse played a huge role in the successful 2011 Currie Cup campaign, playing in 15 of the 16 games.

Expect Jacobie to cover the front row from the bench for the majority of the Super Rugby campaign.

JC JANSE VAN RENSBURG

Position: Prop
Physical: 1.82m; 113kg
Born: 09.01.86, Prince Albert
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 57 (Career)
Provincial Points:
Provincial Debut: 2007 v Sharks
Super Rugby Caps: 41 (Career)
Super Rugby Points: 5 (1t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2008 v Sharks

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Janse van Rensburg is another young player at the Lions who represented his country at the 2005 Under 19 world championships, which the “baby Boks” won.

Since his Super Rugby debut in 2008, JC’s career has been on the up, with him making a good impression at the Lions.

He was influential during the early part of the 2011 Currie Cup campaign, but a rib injury saw him miss a large chunk of South Africa’s premier domestic competition.

Hard work by the back room staff saw him fit for the final against the Sharks.

I expect that van Rensburg will do battle with Pat Cilliers for the starting berth during the Super Rugby campaign, but even if he were to come off the bench he would not let the side down.

ROSS GELDENHUIS

Position: Tighthead Prop
Physical: 1.88m; 120kg
Birthdate: 19 April 1983
Birthplace: South Africa
Marital Status: Married
High School: St. Andrews College
College/University: UCT

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Although listed in the Vodacom Cup squad, Ross has previously played at Super Rugby level, and if injuries are experienced to the first choice players, we may well see Ross getting some game time anchoring the Lions scrum.

I personally thought he had a bright future ahead of him and was impressed by his strong scrummaging, and he seemed to be developing nicely a couple of seasons ago, but seems to be a little out of favour in recent times.

CAYLIB OOSTHUIZEN

Position: Loosehead Prop
Physical: 1.86m; 115kg
Birthdate: 1 September 1989
Birthplace: Cape Town
Marital Status: Single
High School: Oudtshoorn High School
Colllege/University: UJ

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Having played for South Africa at Under 19 level, Caylib is another player from the Vodacom Cup squad who may be thrust into Super Rugby should any injuries occur to the first line players.

I have not personally seen Caylib play, but having represented his country at junior level must stand him in good stead should the need arise for him to represent the Lions at super Rugby level.

OVERVIEW

Whilst the Lions seem to have a decent set of first choice Props, I am still somewhat concerned about the lack of a “world class” tighthead.

Having said that, are there ANY in South Africa? My feeling is that there aren’t.

CJ will bring much needed experience into the front row, where the youngsters who did so well in the 2011 edition of the Currie Cup will back him up admirably.

However, should there be a spate of injuries amongst the four top contenders, John Mitchell may well have to throw some really inexperienced youngsters in at the deep end.