Rohan set for comeback
BACK IN ACTION: SPRINGBOK STAR SET TO FACE SHARKS
Game to determine the Lions’ quarterfinal opponents.
Springbok centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg could make his eagerly-awaited return to Super Rugby against the Sharks in Durban this weekend. After suffering a knee injury in the clash against the Stormers early in the competition, Janse van Rensburg returned on the bench for the Golden Lions in their SuperSport Challenge semifinal loss against Griquas in East London on Sunday.
Janse van Rensburg could have already made his return against the Sunwolves before the team’s bye last week, but coach Johan Ackermann decided he could have done with some game time.
The poser for the Lions is that midfielders Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe have been in great form which could make a bench start the best option for Janse van Rensburg.
“We will first have to take a good look how Rohan shapes up during this week of training,” said Ackermann.
While the Sharks game could determine who the Lions’ opponents in the quarterfinals at Ellis Park will be next weekend, Ackermann said they first need to see that the players zone back in during the week.
“Everybody was off the last week, so for the Sharks game we just have to get everybody in the groove again and get their game sharpness up to the required levels,” he said.
With the Lions two points behind the Crusaders, the Johannesburg franchise could claim top spot if the Crusaders lose in the early game against the Hurricanes and the Lions beat the Sharks.
But Ackermann said their focus was solely on the Sharks encounter and they will concern themselves with the other possibilities when the time comes.
“The preparation is going to remain exactly the same as with any other game,” he said.
If the Crusaders lose and the Lions beat the Sharks, the Durbanites could be heading back to Johannesburg for the play-offs.