Business as usual for Kriel

It was almost a no-brainer for the Lions to appoint flank Jaco Kriel as captain in the absence of injured Springbok skipper Warren Whiteley.

Coach Johan Ackermann yesterday named a powerful lineup that includes 10 Boks in the starting team for their Super Rugby clash tomorrow at Ellis Park against the Sunwolves.

“Warren is a huge loss, but Jaco has his own strengths and abilities and the competition must go on and we are looking for continuity from all involved,” he said.

The coach added he probably would have thought twice about involving all his available Boks was it not for the bye of next week.

“The Bok players are high in confidence, they have played at that level and now we are looking for the same hunger and desire from them,” he said.

Ackermann said although the Sunwolves languish at the bottom of Africa Conference 1, they have run South African teams close this year and there will be no room for complacency.

“Hopefully we can maintain our momentum, it’s an important game for us and now that we are back as a team we will be hoping to keep the pressure on the Crusaders at the top of the (overall) log,” he said.

Ruan Ackermann will fill Whiteley’s boots at No 8, while Kwagga Smith moves from No 6 to No 7 to accommodate the returning Kriel on the openside flank.

With Whiteley ruled out for eight weeks with a groin injury, Kriel said they will be looking to carry on as normal.

“It’s a massive privilege to captain the side as we have always been able to bank on Warren,” said Kriel. “But with the kind of leadership the coaching staff has created in the side we can always rely and bank on one another.”

Kriel poured cold water on the suggestions that he is being linked to a move to English club Wasps after the Super Rugby season.

“But I have already signed with the Lions until after next year’s Super Rugby competition.”