‘Big test’ for flyhalf Boshoff
ROTATION: ACKERMANN SWITCHES HALFBACKS
Lions coach puts emphasis on defence as he brings Hollenbach in at centre.
The Springbok camp this week has altered Lions coach Johan Ackermann’s mindset for their Super Rugby match against the Highlanders at Ellis Park tomorrow.
Ackermann decided to move his first-choice halfback combination, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, to the bench and replace them with Marnitz Boshoff and Ross Cronje.
“Ross had a bit of a break [in] the past few weeks but he is strong on defence, and Faf came back from a Bok camp, being the only fit No 9 there,” said Ackermann.
De Klerk did quite a bit of running at the Bok camp and the coach thought “it’s a good opportunity to start with Ross and the same with Marnitz”.
The pair have also often trained together.
Jantjies wore a knee brace during the Bok camp.
Ackermann said Boshoff faced a big test. “He hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to start and, hopefully, he’ll have the confidence to play well for us.”
In other backline changes, Alwyn Hollenbach replaces Howard Mnisi in the midfield, Andries Coetzee reverts to fullback and Courtnall Skosan returns at left wing.
“Alwyn has always been a leader. He brings a positive energy, he is strong on defence and very experienced,” said the coach.
Ackermann had no problem altering his front row. Schalk van der Merwe replaces Jacques van Rooyen and hooker Robbie Coetzee returns for Akker van der Merwe.
“Rotation has worked for us,” he said. “In the scrums, the guys have often trained together in different combinations.”