Lions on the lookout for a pivot
JOHANNESBURG: Who’ll be the all-important creator and playmaker for the Lions this weekend?
That is the burning question ahead of their round three, Super Rugby encounter against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
The Lions left Johannesburg yesterday afternoon for the match, and among some familiar names missing from the 25-man squad was regular No 10 Elton Jantjies. His girlfriend, Iva Ristic, is expecting the couple’s second child this week.
Also missing from the tour squad are lock Franco Mostert and Lionel Mapoe, who are both being rested, while Rohan Janse van Rensburg will also not face the Argentinians because it is his mom’s funeral today.
So, with Jantjies out, who between Jaco van der Walt and young Shaun Reynolds will wear the No 10 on his back on Saturday?
Or, could coach Johan Ackermann spring a surprise and name Andries Coetzee as the Lions’ pivot?
Van der Walt appears to be the favourite because he was Jantjies’ back-up for most of last season and also sat on the bench in the Lions’ opening two games this year. The Lions know what they have in him and he knows what the Lions want from him.
Reynolds, though, is a promising 21-year-old, who the Lions are keen to see what he can achieve at a higher level after starring for the union’s junior team last season.
Then there’s the option of starting with regular fullback Coetzee in the flyhalf berth.
He’s an experienced campaigner having been a firstchoice player for a few seasons now and, like Van der Walt, understands the style of rugby the Lions play. He’s got a good boot on him and generally makes sound decisions, and he’s done the job before.
Goal-kicking, however, is expected to play a key role in determining the outcome on Saturday, so Ackermann will more than likely go with either Van der Walt or Reynolds, both of whom are recognised goal-kickers.
With Mapoe and Janse van Rensburg also out, Ackermann has to find a new wing and centre. It’s anticipated that Jacques Nel, such a star for the Lions in the Currie Cup last year, will get his first start in Super Rugby this year on Saturday, alongside Harold Vorster, while one of Anthony Volmink or Sylvian Mahuza will slot in on the right wing.
There’s also going to have to be a change in the second row, with either Lourens Erasmus or Marvin Orie getting an opportunity to show what they can do in place of Mostert.
The Lions are coming off two wins, against the Cheetahs (away) and Waratahs (home), while the Jaguares are playing at home for the first time after starting with a win (against the Kings) and a loss (against the Stormers) in their first two games. In the corresponding fixture last season, the South Americans defeated the Lions 34-22, consigning the Joburg side to second in the final standings.
Ackermann is expected to name his line-up tomorrow.