Sunwolves are definitely a better team than before, says Elton

JOHANNESBURG: The Sunwolves may be winless in three matches but they are not the whipping boys of the past and the Lions are taking them very seriously, according to flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

The teams clash in a round four Super Rugby match at Ellis Park tomorrow with the home team coming off a rare and unexpected defeat by the Blues, while the Sunwolves were given 50 points by the Sharks last weekend.

Despite the men from Japan being widely regarded easybeats and having copped a 94-7 hiding by the Lions last year, Jantjies insists they’re stronger than before. “They’ve got more overseas-based players in their team this year; I’d say that’s the biggest change,” said Jantjies yesterday ahead of the clash.

Jantjies, who plays some of his club rugby in Japan, said the Sunwolves would play a fast game with little kicking. “They like to play in one’s face, they’re quick off the line, and they don’t kick much. They’re definitely a better team than before,” said the Lions No 10.

“They’re a quality team who love playing with turnover ball, but we just have to focus on what we need to do.”

Indeed. The Lions will be desperate to put together a clinical performance after coming unstuck against the Blues last week.

Coach Swys de Bruin has opted to rest some of his players ahead of next week’s trip to Argentina for their match against the Jaguares, which means starts for props Dylan Smith, Jacobie Adriaanse, Lourens Erasmus and new No 8 Len Massyn, who’ll be on debut in place of the injured Warren Whiteley.

“I’m very excited about Len. He’s a youngster (20) in the mould of a Pedrie Wannenburg and Warren ... he understands the game and was a star at agegroup level,” said De Bruin about Massyn who played for the Baby Boks last year.

In Whiteley’s absence, lockcum-flank Franco Mostert will lead the team. “He’s an inspirational player who gets guys to follow him,” said the Lions coach. “He’s a role model and embraces every challenge that comes his way. He enjoys the pressure, so it was an easy decision to make him captain.”

While there are several changes to the team that lost a week ago, including Rohan Janse van Rensburg shifting to the wing, the spine of the side remains intact – something De Bruin believes will be important this week.

“Apart from Warren who’s not there, the rest of the spine is there (hooker, No 9, flyhalf and fullback) and that’s important to note. We had to rest some of the guys, and would have done so irrespective of what happened last weekend. We’ve got a big trip to Argentina next week and after that we’re up against the Crusaders,” De Bruin said.