Earl Rose will once again be in the starting line up as fullback for the Lions in their match against the Leopards at Coke Park on Friday.
Rose was dropped after some inconsistent performances, with Earl Lewis taking his place against the Bulls and Cheetahs. Lewis will be rested, as will flyhalf Herkie Kruger.
‘Lewis was hurt in the Cheetahs game, so was not available for selection,’ said coach Hans Coetzee. ‘Kruger has a neck injury. It is not serious, but we’ve decided to rest him and play Ruan Boshoff.’
Boshoff will start alongside Doppies la Grange, who has replaced Pieter Engelbrecht at inside centre.
Up front, Coetzee has opted for a more mobile pack as the Lions look for a bonus point, and will also be intent on improving their points difference if they are to have any hope of making the semi-finals. Regular loose forward Franco van der Merwe moves to the second row, with Johan Snyman dropping to the bench, and Todd Clever comes in on the flank.
The props are rotated with Kevin Buys and Wayne Swart replacing Gert Muller and JC Janse van Rensburg.
Walter Venter, who had an impressive start to the campaign but was hit by swine flu, returns to the bench. Captain Baywatch Grobbelaar is still struggling with a shoulder injury, but should be fit for next weekend’s match against Griquas.
Lions – 15 Earl Rose, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Johan Jackson, 10 Ruan Boshoff, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts (c), 7 Todd Clever, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hans Van Dyk, 1 Wayne Swart.
Subs: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Gert Muller, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Johan van Deventer, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Pieter Engelbrecht.
Earl Jan.
O donder.
@Journo-Lion – Kan jy weer sê!!
@Journo-Lion – As K9 jou wil pak gee omdat jy vloek, vat dit soos ‘n man. 😆
Even the Lions can afford to play their B team against the Leopards.
@Loosehead – You finks? They gave Griekwas a good go and their confidence levels will be up.
Could be much closer than you think and with the Duke of Earl there, anything can happen………..
If this game was in Potch’ I’d be a worried man.
The last 2 games the Leopards have played the type of Rugby they are capable of, and I don’t think they’ll be such a pushover in the second round of the CC as they were in the first.
The Lions should win with a bonus point, but I can’t see it being a massive points difference!
@Scrumdown – I foresee big scores and whoever wins, will get a try bonus point.
The games between weaker teams become loose very quickly. By giving lions players a rest, they drop their capabilities to a level almost the same as the Leopards.
The game will become less structured and this is where the lower ranked teams can be dangerous.
I think the teams that lost against Griekwas for instant, tried to beat them by their own game.
Lions should play a structured gamed and not go toe to toe with the Leopards.
This game has the biggest potential for an upset this weekend.
8@isigidi – In general I think the Leopards have not played anywhere near their potential.
The Leopards clubs that compete in the GLRU league are always near the top or the champions. Pukke have a brilliant acadamy and are VERY strong throughout their structures.
Years ago Potch Dorp were also a massively strong club. I’m not sure how they compare these days though.
Friday night games can produce some strange outcomes that’s for sure.
The one positive for the Lions is that the new President Kevin de Klerk is some making some very telling and important changes throughout the Union’s structures that can only be for the better.
Expect a very more professional Lions outfit from top to bottom in 2010.
@Scrumdown –
Hello there, how are things in your valley?
Agreed on PUK Academy.
I believe Matthew Proudfoot coached over there too, before moving to WP.
@Pietman – Hi Pietman.
The valley is getting nice and green, but the weather is miserable at the moment.
Yes Mathew Proudfoot was indeed there even during the Varsity Cup earlier this season.
I think it was a very clever move of WP rugby to get him involved there.
Suddenly the suspect tight 5 of WP are VERY competitive. I can’t believe the Lions let Anton van Zyl go so easily.
He was a stalwart at the GLRU, but as far as I know never had any sort of contract. He came out of the club structures (Pirates) and he was only paid appearance money.
Once again a bit of a blunder on the part of the previous management IMO. Kevin de Klerk won’t make the same mistakes.
As much as I hate to say it, SA Rugby needs a strong WP. (And Lions for that matter!)
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