The second Article highlighting the Lions Super Rugby players likely to bear the majority of the playing time in the upcoming Super Rugbycompetition.

Today we look at the men in the middle of the front row, the HOOKERS.

The next Article in the Series will be about the Lions Locks.

MARTIN BEZUIDENHOUT

Name: Martin Bezuidenhout
Position: Hooker
Physical: 1.83m; 104.5kg
Born: 21.08.89, Johannesburg
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: 28
Provincial Points: 5 (1t)
Provincial Debut: 2010 v Leopards
Super Rugby Caps: 8
Super Rugby Points: 10 (2t)
Super Rugby Debut: 2011 v Bulls

Since his provincial debut in 2010, Martin has become a stalwart in the Lions squad, usually coming off the bench to replace Bandisu Maku who is now unavailable for the duration of the Super Rugby due to injury .

Relatively inexperienced at Super Rugby level, this hard working hooker will need to take charge of the hooking duties and take the step up to the next level of competition.

Given the injury to Maku, I expect Bezuidenhout to appear regularly in the starting 15 during the upcoming campaign.

EDGAR MARUTLULLE

Name: Edgar Marutlulle
Position: Hooker
Physical: 1.75m; 100kg
Born: 20.12.87; Boksburg
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: Not Available
Provincial Points: Not Available
Provincial Debut: Not Available
Super Rugby Caps: Not Available
Super Rugby Points: Not Available
Super Rugby Debut: Not Available

A graduate of the Varsity Cup, Edgar has impressed whenever called on by the Lions to serve at Provincial level.

Relatively small for Super Rugby, expect Edgar to make the squad as a back up player. His lack of experience at such a high level must be a cause of concern for the Lions management.

CALLIE VISAGIE

Name: Callie-Theron Visagie
Position: Hooker
Born: 09.07.88
Physical:1.88m, 108kg
Province: Golden Lions
Provincial Caps: Not Available
Provincial Points: Not Available
Provincial Debut: Not Available
Super Rugby Caps: Not Available
Super Rugby Points: Not Available
Super Rugby Debut: Not Available

A recent acquisition by the Lions, Callie made his mark as the captain of Stellenbosch University’s maties in the Varsity Cup.

Since joining up with the Johannesburg based outfit, he has impressed coach John Mitchell with his work ethic and efforts to become part of the Lions family.

Callie made his first appearance in a Lions shirt in the recent friendly against the Kings where he further impressed the coaching staff with a strong display.

A hard physical player, expect Callie to compete with Martin Bezuidenhout for the starting berth during the upcoming campaign.

OVERVIEW

The loss of Bandisu Maku must be a massive one to a team battling for their very Super Rugby survival, despite the upbeat comments by coach John Mitchell on the available replacements.

I do not for one moment imply that the replacements are not up to the required level, but the lack of Super Rugby match experience available to the Lions must be of concern.

The draw sees the Johannesburg based franchise spending the start of the campaign on African soil, and hopefully this will help the young hookers available to John Mitchell to settle into a Super Rugby mentality and take the step up.

One thing is for sure, Mitchell and his team of coaches will have done everything in their power to have the youngsters ready both physically and as mentally as possible.