Prop Dreyer’s pace is setting him apart

New Springbok prop Ruan Dreyer is not only a powerful scrummager but he can move fast too.

Dreyer was this week one of nine Lions and eight new caps included in the 31-man Bok squad for the French Tests next month and last weekend he surprised one and all with his speed.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann said Dreyer, who scored a scintillating try in the team’s 51-14 Super Rugby win over the Bulls at Ellis Park, surprised everyone with his 25m sprint.

“We actually laughed about it after the game,” said Ackermann.

“He is going to watch the replays over and over, because that’s what I would’ve done.”

Ackermann said the players and management who are closely connected to Dreyer at training were aware of his abilities.

“But it was actually at training where he ran that fast and everybody was surprised how fast he was,” said Ackermann.

“And we actually joked about it during training but on Saturday he actually showed how quick he is for a tighthead prop.”

Ackermann said Dreyer has really stepped up since the neck injury suffered by Julian Redelinghuys. “So that was a special try and something for him to remember for a long, long time,” he said.

Ackermann also made mention of the special performance of flank Kwagga Smith, while he said the big crowd of 30 000-plus was a big boost for his side.

“Kwagga was also phenomenal,” he said. “But we have to thank the crowd as well, to come back home and get this amount of people I truly believe lifted the players and make them feel quite special.”

The Lions next face the Kings on Sunday and will name their team tomorrow.