Lions prepare to unleash Kriel
NO INSTRUCTIONS FROM BOKS ON FLANK Skipper Whiteley says they won’t hold back ahead of camp.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann has no instruction from the national coach on how long Springbok flank Jaco Kriel should be on the field in tomorrow’s Super Rugby clash against the Kings at Ellis Park.
Kriel is making his return off the bench after missing the last four games due to a knee injury, but Ackermann said they will use their own discretion after he had spoken to Bok coach Allister Coetzee.
“Before Jaco went on the Bok camp I said to him if he gets medically cleared we’ll decide whether he will start or come off the bench,” said Ackermann.
“But there’s no time limit, whether it’s 20 or 30 minutes. It’s more about us managing him.”
In other changes Faf de Klerk starts at scrumhalf with Ross Cronje attending his twin brother Guy’s wedding, while in a rotation, Robbie Coetzee starts ahead of Malcolm Marx at hooker.
Ackermann said they have respect for the way the Kings have performed this season.
“We are still fighting for positions and we want to keep the momentum, that’s the aim,” he said.
Ackermann also paid tribute to his captain Warren Whiteley.
“It’s amazing that we have the Bok captain now. Credit to Warren and I know he is going to do an incredible job,” said Ackermann.
“I knew when I started out with Warren in 2014 there was something special about him.”
Whiteley said they won’t be holding back ahead of next week’s Bok camp.
“It is a challenge, but it’s easier once you arrive here at the stadium, surrounded by everyone.
“You have so much respect for your fellow players so I am not going to let anyone down this weekend,” said Whiteley.
Whiteley said their motto of “next job” is very much the status quo before joining the Bok camp on Monday.
“That’s how you overcome it, quite quickly,” he said.
“We have the right set of values and culture here and it makes it easier to go on a Bok camp and then to come back and perform.”
Kick-off: 2.30pm tomorrow.
Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley (capt), Ruan Ackermann, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Ruan Dreyer, Robbie Coetzee, Jacques van Rooyen.
Malcolm Marx, Johannes Jonker, Corne Fourie, Lourens Erasmus, Jaco Kriel, Dillon Smit, Jacques Nel, Anthony Volmink/ Sylvian Mahuza
Bench: