Lions Head Coach Johan Ackermann has made just one change to the run on side from that which was well beaten by the Crusaders to take on the Sharks at Ellis Park this weekend last week.
The full media briefing from the Lions reads:
Lions Media release – Team announcement
VODACOM SUPER RUGBY ROUND 9: LIONS VS CELL C SHARKS
Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has named his 23-man team to take on the Cell C Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday evening.
Ackermann has opted for consistency, making just one change to his starting line-up.
In the forwards, Derick Minnie will start at flank.
As a result, Jaco Kriel drops to the wood to provide cover. Robbie Coetzee is also a welcome inclusion on the bench, having recovered from injury.
Alwyn Hollenbach comes in to provide cover in the place of JW Jonker.
The match will kick off at 19:10.
Lions: 15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Deon van Rensburg, 13. Lionel Mapoe, 12. Stefan Watermeyer, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Warren Whiteley (Captain), 7. Willie Britz, 6. Derick Minnie, 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Martin Muller, 3. Julian Redelinghuys, 2. Willie Wepener, 1. Schalk van der Merwe
Replacements: 16. Robbie Coetzee, 17. Corne Fourie, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. MB Lusaseni, 20. Jaco Kriel, 21. Ross Cronje, 22. Elton Jantjies, 23. Alwyn Hollenbach.
Can’t help wondering about Michael Bondisio.
What was described as a hamstring strain picked up at a Captain’s run before the round 1 game appears to be a (Supr Rugby) life threatening injury.
The lack of communication from the Lions once again not exactly out of the top drawer in this regard.
@ Scrumdown:
However, Faf has generally been a good replacement. And Ross has been decent as an impact player. But I would also like to know what is happening with Bondisio, as he is a pretty good player.
@ Lion4ever:
Faf has probably been the best scrumhalf in the country over the past year I believe, interesting that Kriel is on the bench, but JA is showing proper skills as a coach and replacing like for like players and not selecting his team to have his favorite players on the field at the same time like AC.
over the past year = so far this year.
13:30 @ Lion4ever:
Agree 100% re Faf. He’s been absolutely fantastic.
Ross has been ok. Nothing more than that IMO.
If Bondisio were coming on as a replacement for Faf it would really keep the tempo fast as they are similar types of half back.
My point is more, where is the communication from the GLRU / Lions?
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