Rugby365

The Golden Lions were dealt a double injury blow ahead of their Currie Cup crunch match against Western Province at Newlands, Cape Town, on Saturday.

Captain Cobus Grobbelaar has been ruled out of the game as the result of a shoulder injury which he picked up in the 19-30 loss to the Sharks last weekend.

The second big blow for the Lions, who are already limping after three defeats in six starts this season, is the loss of vice-captain Willem Alberts with an Achilles heel injury.

Scrumhalf Jano Vermaak takes over the captaincy, a first for Vermaak.

American import Todd Clever replaces Willem Alberts at No.8 and Derick Minnie replaces Cobus Grobbelaar on the flank.

Despite losing to the Sharks last week, the Lions were upbeat about the upcoming showdown with Province.

However, the setbacks are sure to knock the team’s confidence.

The good news is that prop Gert Muller has been cleared after suffering with flu earlier this week.

Lock Nico Luus, who also had his training time limited this week after taking a knock against the Sharks, have also been cleared to play.

Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak (captain), 8 Todd Clever, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Johan van Deventer, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Ruan Boshoff, 22 Pieter Engelbrecht.

Date: Saturday, August 22
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Eugenia Daniels
TMO: JC Fortuin