The Lions will head to Cape Town for the Neo Africa Tri-series against the Stormers and Sharks without Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies.
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Jantjies and centre Doppies la Grange will stay at home and focus on their conditioning so that they can be ready for the start of the Super Rugby series on 19 February.
Lions coach John Mitchell said that Jantjies had missed a few weeks of conditioning because of his involvement on the Springboks’ end-of-season tour, and that is why he will only feature in a friendly match in a few weeks’ time. As far as La Grange is concerned, the Lions already know what they have in the seasoned centre, and that is why they will have a look at their reserve strength in the inside centre position against the Stormers and Sharks.
Jantjies’s absence means that former Springbok André Pretorius will probably run out as flyhalf in Friday night’s match against the Stormers. Pretorius still played for the Sharks in last year’s Currie Cup, and should have another acquisition from the Sharks, Rory Kockott, as halfback partner.
Altogether, 29 players will travel to Cape Town and, while the majority of them should get game time, Kockott and Michael Bondesio are set to be trialled at scrumhalf, with Jano Vermaak’s abilities already well-known to the coaching staff.
There will be a very interesting replacement for La Grange against the Stormers. Nineteen-year-old Jaco Taute, who impressed as fullback in the Currie Cup, is set to be considered at inside centre next to Waylon Murray.
Bandise Maku, the hooker acquisition from the Blue Bulls, and former Cheetahs wing Lionel Mapoe, are set to debut for the Lions against the Stormers.
Mitchell will also leave a few other players at home for conditioning purposes. That includes New Zealand fullback James Kamana, as well as Michael Rhodes (lock/flank), David de Villiers (lock), Pat Cilliers (prop) and Wayne Swart (prop).
Meanwhile, former Springbok and Lions captain Francois Pienaar has expressed his satisfaction with the new developments in Lions rugby. Apart from the team’s improved play under Mitchell in the Currie Cup last year, the union has also got financial muscle thanks to the investment by the Guma Group and new chief sponsor MTN.
“I think it was bad for everybody when the Lions struggled so much, even for the players and administrators. But I’m following developments at the Lions with interest and it looks good. John Mitchell is an excellent coach and it looks as if he has got a good team,” said Pienaar.
Andre Yo-Yo Pretorius did not play well at all at the Sharks… there’s no spark anymore, no zip, a lot of fumbles…. and not much more.
Oh, and just how long can he stay injury-free?
But all in all, theLions will definately (or should be) more competative this year.
Bulls have them up 1st… and with a Team on the up and not knowing where they stand, the Lions will be fresh and motivated to start this season well, that in itself, apart from Mitchell as better coach, makes one worried!
@ grootblousmile:
I’ve always said that for “fringe” teams like the Lions and the Cheetahs, the draw can dictate the type of season they are going to have.
If the Lions draw the Bulls and Crusaders EARLY in the tournament, IE before they get into their stride and approach their desired “peak” then the Lions have a better chance of beating those type of teams.
This year, as you point out, we (the Lions) have the Bulls first up at the Coke Tin. We’ll never have a better chance of beating the Bulls than this.
The first weekend of Super Rugby is notorious for upsets, and this game has all the ingredients to serve one up.
I see though that just 5 weeks later on 26th March, the Bulls and Lions meet again.
Aaai, I hate this format already, BUT, at least the draw has been kind in that the Lions don’t play the Crusaders at all in the “conference” stages.
Maybe the format is not too bad after all. (No, it is k@k)
2@ Scrumdown:
Etzakkerly!!
I don’t like this format at all, not one single bit.
Reality is they’ve done this to get fuller stadiums, more consumers (as opposed to rugby lovers) through the turn styles… bigger income…
It’s ALL about money, and very little about the right thing for the game of rugby and for the distant future of rugby.
It’s ALL about immediate gratification in stead of long term stability.
@ grootblousmile:
When have the Rugby authorities (worldwide) ever done what is right for Rugby?
I know a former England Schools coach who now lives in Swaziland, (Level 4 IRB coach!), and the stories he can tell you about the English Rugby Union (RFU) will make you shake your head in wonderment.
But I guess the Rugby authorities have to fill the bank accounts while they can. They know that countries like SA, NZ and England will keep on producing enough quality players to keep the current worldwide audience happy.
They really don’t give a toss about developing the sport into a truly worldwide sport in places like the Americas, Africa and the Far East.
Do you know that a small African affiliated Rugby Union must run it’s programs on 10 000 GB Pounds a year?
Not a lot when you think about it is it?
Compare that to MTN’s sponsorship of the Lions. ZAR 20 000 000 a year for 3 years. (Or is it 5 years?)
Laat ‘n mens dink oor ontwikkeling ne?
4@ Scrumdown:
To a certain extent I’m glad that serious development in the Americas and at the Ruskies are low key…. they could easily take the reigns and run the show when fully up to speed and dominate world rugby.
What chance does SA stand in the face of these World Powers when the game is strong everywhere… well, what chance does New Zealand have as well in a situation like that.
But development and growing the game ensures the game’s longevity… and far too little is done to develop the game.
Soccer is growing in the States at a phenominal rate, in the not too distant future they could be the World Power in Soccer.
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