Lions have a bench plan for Bulls semi
• Coach goes with six forwards and two backs as replacements who will get an early call
The Lions will generously press their bench into action in Saturday’s Currie Cup semifinal against the Blue Bulls at Loftus in Pretoria. The match will kick off at 2pm, just as the temperature is expected to peak at 34°C, and it will require the load to be shared among the squad.
The Lions will generously press their bench into action in Saturday’s Currie Cup semifinal against the Blue Bulls at Loftus in Pretoria.
The match will kick off at 2pm, just as the temperature is expected to peak at 34°C, and it will require the load to be shared among the squad.
To that end, the Lions have named six forwards and just two backs on the bench as they hope to quell the forward assault of the Blue Bulls‚ who have dominated their opposition upfront since rugby resumed in September.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen‚ a fitness fundi‚ is excited that the match will have this extra lung-busting that is almost sadistic.
“Of our last five‚ six games‚ the only dry one was against Free State‚” said Van Rooyen.
“So we are excited to get a 2pm kickoff. It will be warm. The bench will play a role. That’s why we went six-two. Hopefully the guys are tired after 50 or 60 minutes because then we know we are getting stuck in. The plan is to use the bench and to use it early as well‚” he said.
As expected, the Lions have opted to start with veteran Jannie du Plessis at tighthead while Carlu Sadie is expected to be on the field sooner rather than later after the break.
On the other side of the scrum, Sti Sithole got the nod ahead of Dylan Smith, who passed a fitness test but still has a niggling hamstrung. Sithole
may have a thing or two to prove. “Sti was in the squad for the previous match against the Bulls, having just come back from injury. We smashed him with fitness tests on the Monday and Tuesday but unfortunately he pulled up with a tight back in the warm-up before the game.
“Dylan has a slightly pulled hamstring. He passed his fitness test but we went with Sti and Ruan [Dreyer‚ on the bench].”
Though the Bulls boast experience throughout their ranks‚ the Lions have their own grizzled men. Du Plessis‚ lock Willem Alberts‚ flank Jaco Kriel‚ flyhalf Elton Jantjies and wing Courtnall Skosan have all played at the highest level and are used to the fiery furnace.
“It certainly helps having senior players in certain positions. We talked about different scenarios and different
decisions it will require. We are excited to see how the senior players make decisions‚” said Van Rooyen.
Experienced Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn has implored the young players to avoid being overwhelmed by the big occasion when they face the Lions.
Steyn, Cornal Hendricks‚ captain Duane Vermeulen‚ Trevor Nyakane and Lizo Gqoboka will lead a youthful
Bulls side as they bid for a place in the final against either Western Province or the Sharks.
“I think a lot of the guys who are playing on Saturday haven’t played in a semifinal before‚ so it’s a big day for a lot of them‚” said Steyn.
“I know everyone is ready after what has been a long season‚ they must just take it as another game and enjoy the moment. We have told them to go out there and do what they have done the whole season‚ that’s been part of our build-up the whole week.
“It is important to train the same way and do the same things. We actually told the guys last week that it is the semifinals‚ but we don’t have to change anything in our preparations.
“It is also about keeping calm and enjoying the moment because when the week is finished‚ the semifinals will be finished.”
Steyn is part of the squad announced by coach Jake White on Thursday which sees Stravino Jacobs retain his spot on the leftwing with David Kriel returning to fullback as part of the revamped backline.
Hendricks and Stedman Gans resume their successful partnership in the midfield and Kurt-Lee Arendse will continue his attacking form on the rightwing‚ while Ivan van Zyl and Steyn continue with their halfback pairing.
Among the forwards skipper Vermeulen will be in charge of the back of the scrum, alongside Elrigh Louw and Marco van Staden as blindside and openside flank respectively.