Lions will roar into Springboks
The feelgood factor the Lions have provided South African rugby is tipped to flow into the Springboks.
South African commentators believe Boks coach Allister Coetzee will bolster his squad with Lions stars for the looming Rugby Championship where they play the Pumas, All Blacks and Wallabies.
It represents a significant step up for the rookie head coach after the Springboks scraped past Ireland 2-1 in their June test series.
The Lions’ strong surge deep into the Super Rugby playoffs couldn’t be better timed for Coetzee, according to Supersport rugby writer Brendon Nel .
They believe form and playing style of the Lions should prove a boost to the Springboks.
The Lions host the Highlanders in this weekend’s Super Rugby semifinals in Johannesburg after dismantling the Crusaders in the quarterfinals.
A South African form XV from Super Rugby would see nine Lions players in a Springboks starting side – right wing Ruan Combrinck, second-five Rohan Janse van Rensburg, left wing Courtnall Skosan, first-five Elton Jantjies, halfback Faf de Klerk, No 8 Warren Whiteley, flanker Jaco Kriel, hooker Malcolm Marx and loosehead prop Dylan Smith.
That might be stretching things a bit far but the Lions players’ claims are strong.
‘‘Coetzee is likely to be under increased pressure to play a more expansive game plan and fit in more players from the Lions when he selects his side for this year’s Rugby Championship,’’ Nel wrote.
‘‘The growing roar of Lions players means that Coetzee needs to find some sort of balance when tempering expectation with the way the Springboks need to play in the Rugby Championship.
‘‘The Bok coach will be under a lot of pressure to pick more Lions’ players, especially those who are knocking hard on the door, while njuries will also force changes to the team when it is named.’’