Lions head caoch Johan Ackermann has named his team to face the Stormers in their Super Rugby game at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The team sees a number of injury enforced changes.
The full media release from the Lions reads:
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
VODACOM SUPER RUGBY ROUND 2: LIONS VS STORMERS
Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has named his 23-man team to front the Stormers at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Ackermann has made just two changes to the Lions’ starting line-up. In the mid-field, Alwyn Hollenbach comes in at inside centre. Stefan Watermeyer shifts to N0 13, due to the injury sustained by Lionel Mapoe.
On the wood, MB Lusaseni is primed to make his Super Rugby debut as he comes into the side. JW Jonker is also a welcome inclusion and will provide cover as a utility back.
The match will kick off at 19:10.
Lions: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (Captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Franco Mostert, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe
Replacements: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 MB Lusaseni, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 JW Jonker, 23 Coenie van Wyk.
Phew. Hope Hollenbach makes it through the game without pulling up.
Not a bad side… apart from Chrysander Botha.
In fact, less of a troublesome lineup compared to what the Bulls chose to pick for 2 weeks in a row now.
2 @ grootblousmile:
Agree re Botha, but if they insist on using him, at least utlilise his strenght. Outright speed.
Last week the Lions won turnover ball, spun it out to Watermeyer who had Botha open on the wing, and then the prat cut back inside.
FFS, there aren’t many players who’ll be able to turn around and catch Botha when he’s at full tilt.
Also, I sincerely hope that Watermeyer hold the defensive line this week.
A couple of times last week he shot up and broke the defensive line in his eagerness. A better team than the Cheetahs were on the day would have severely punished the Lions.
Here’s hoping the Stormpoppies are still rusty and haven’t yet wiped the sleep from their eyes after their bye of last week. (What a croc of shyte!)
Nice side, just hope like Scrumdown, that Hollenbach is unscathed after this game.
@ Scrumdown:
Watermeyer’s rushed defence also had me worried. If rushes like that he must make the tackle. Will be interesting to see how it will work with him shifting to 13. We may see an intercept or 2.
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