The Lions host their first Vodacom Super Rugby match of the season when they take on the DHL Stormers at Ellis Park on Saturday evening in a match where they will be hoping to continue where they left off last weekend.
The Lions surprised friend and foe when they beat the Toyota Cheetahs and their coach, Johan Ackermann, has kept the faith in the team that returned victorious from Bloemfontein. Apart from injury-enforced changes in the backline – Lionel Mapoe is out with Alwyn Hollenbach starting at inside centre and Stefan Watermeyer moving to the No 13 jersey – the rest of the team is unchanged.
The DHL Stormers will travel to Johannesburg with a new-look backline after they lost a number of experienced players to European clubs and injury in the last few months. Kobus van Wyk and Michael van der Spuy will earn their first Vodacom Super Rugby caps, while Damian de Allende has shifted to wing.
The Capetonians look strong upfront though, with only Argentinean lock Manuel Carizza new to rugby at this level. Their pack is settled and experienced, which is probably where the DHL Stormers will be looking to gain the ascendancy in a derby they have not yet lost going back eight years.
But Allister Coetzee, coach of the DHL Stormers, said his team will not underestimate the Lions at Ellis Park.
“The Lions showed over the weekend that in Vodacom Super Rugby any team can beat any (other) team,” said Coetzee.
“They were great at the breakdowns and their coach has an attacking mindset, which worked wonders for the team in last season’s Absa Currie Cup competition.
“We also won’t lose sight of the fact that the match will be on the Highveld and the Lions have a reputation for pulling out all the stops in the final 20 minutes.”
The teams are:
- Lions: Chrysander Botha, Deon van Rensburg, Stefan Watermeyer, Alwyn Hollenbach, Ruan Combrinck, Marnitz Boshoff, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley (captain), Derick Minnie, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe. Replacements: Willie Wepener, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni*, Warwick Tecklenburg, Ross Cronje, JW Jonker, Coenie van Wyk.
- DHL Stormers: Gio Aplon, Kobus van Wyk*, Michael van der Spuy*, Jean de Villiers (captain), Damian de Allende, Demetri Catrakilis#, Louis Schreuder, Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger (vice-captain), Siya Kolisi, Manuel Carizza*, Rynhardt Elstadt, Frans Malherbe, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Deon Fourie, Oliver Kebble*, Pat Cilliers, Michael Rhodes, Nizaam Carr, Nic Groom, Kurt Coleman, Ryno Eksteen*.
* Uncapped at Vodacom Super Rugby level
# Franchise debut
Lions v DHL Stormers
- Date: Saturday, 22 February
- SA Time: 19h10
- Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
- Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
- Television match official: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
Other fixtures (South African kick-off times):
Friday, 21 February:
- 08h35: Crusaders v Chiefs – Christchurch
Saturday, 22 February:
- 08h35: Highlanders v Blues – Dunedin
- 10h40: Brumbies v Reds – Canberra
Sunday, 23 February:
- 07h05: Waratahs v Force – Sydney
Bye: Rebels
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