Alberts boost for Lions
Lions coach Eugene Eloff has made just one change to the team that will face the high-flying Blues in a Super 14 Round Two match at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Lions coach Eugene Eloff has made just one change to the team that will face the high-flying Blues in a Super 14 Round Two match at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Burly No.8 Willem Alberts return to the team at the expense of RW Kember, after having recovered from a pre-season knee injury.
The 23-year-old Alberts, who played in all 13 the Lions' matches in his debut season last year, will add his considerable bulk – 192cm and 115kg – to an already impressive Lions pack.
Cobus Grobbelaar will continue to captain the Lions in the absence of injured skipper Ernst Joubert (back strain).
Grobbelaar said his team is very upbeat after their 23-22 opening round win over the Cheetahs and the players are looking forward to the Challenge of facing the Blues.
“We have a great group of talented players who perform well both individually and as a team,” Grobbelaar said.
“Going into this match, on Saturday, every individual will play a vital role.
“Each player will need to build on their performance from last week.
“It is going to be great playing at Ellis Park in front of our fans, and we're really looking forward to the game.
“Winning our first match of the Super 14, and winning away from home [in Bloemfontein last week] was fantastic. We could not have hoped for a better start to the season,” he added.
Coach Eugene Eloff also expressed his appreciation for his team's “outstanding discipline” in last week's win.
“We did make a few mistakes and gave away a few too many opportunities against the Cheetahs, but nonetheless, I am very impressed with the guys and if we keep this discipline, we can only grow as a team,” Eloff said.
Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Jaco Pretorius (vice-captain), 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Gavin Williamson, 17 Gert Andries van der Merwe, 18 Alten Hulme, 19 Joe van Niekerk, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Earl Rose, 22 Jaco van Schalkwyk.
Date: Saturday, 23 February
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.05 (17.05 GMT)
Referee: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Willie Roos (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Dennis Immelman (South Africa)