Jonker makes presence felt

At the start of the Super Rugby season very few people outside East London were familiar with the name Johannes Jonker.

But since the 22-year-old former Border Bulldogs tighthead prop was first noticed by Lions coach Johan Ackermann on television in a hotel room during a Vodacom Cup match and lured to Johannesburg, he is starting to become a household name.

As the back-up to Ruan Dreyer, Jonker started in the Super Rugby outing against the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend and he is again expected to play a vital role against the Bulls this weekend at Ellis Park.

“I mentioned it before, but we are missing something like eight players who played the final last year,” Ackermann said.

“Against the Brumbies we started with a young tighthead and he learned some valuable lessons.

“Some of the guys who finished against the Brumbies, like lock Lourens Erasmus and centre Jacques Nel, weren’t even part of last year’s set-up,” added Ackermann.

Dreyer, a definite shoe-in for Springbok selection, has also thrived in his role in the absence of Julian Redelinghuys who is ruled out for the whole year with a neck injury.

The Lions’ medical report yesterday indicates wing Madosh Tambwe sustained a side strain in the Supersport Rugby Challenge against the Welwitschias at Alberton Rugby Club last weekend and will only be available for selection next week.