Lions cubs facing the acid test

Sink or swim.

That could very well be the message to the players by new coach Mziwakhe Nkosi before the Lions host the Pumas in a preparation series match at Ellis Park tonight.

The Lions will introduce a host of young players and U21 stars in this game and expectations are the team could initially struggle with cohesion and composure against a well-settled Pumas side.

There is, however, also great excitement about the future of many of the players, with No 8 Francke Horn (right) potentially forming an explosive loose-trio combination with the two seasoned stars, flankers Roelof Smit and Marnus Schoeman.

Also, there is plenty of anticipation about the performances of 102kg wing Prince Nkabinde, centre James Mollentze and fullback Tiaan Swanepoel, who’ll play in the flyhalf position this weekend.

While Nkosi will make his debut as coach at this level, he has worked with most of the players when he steered the Lions U21 team to the final against the Blue Bulls last year.

The Pumas, meanwhile, will bring a well-drilled side to Jozi – one that smashed the Bulls 44-14 in Nelspruit in the last regular round of the Currie Cup when Bulls coach Jake White also fielded a team loaded with U21 players.

Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse welcomes back star flyhalf Eddie Fouche, who was in good form in the early stages of Super Rugby Unlocked before being getting injured, while lock Le Roux Roets, and No 8 Willie Engelbrecht will also be under scrutiny.