Lions ready to Cash in
COACH HOPES TO UNEARTH NEW TALENT
Seasoned stars a boost for the Lions’ Currie Cup prospects.
Newly appointed head coach of the Golden Lions Currie Cup squad, Ivan van Rooyen, believes the tournament is the perfect launch pad for exciting prospects to flourish.
Previously the side’s conditioning coach, Van Rooyen yesterday named a side loaded with Under-21 players for their opening fixture on Friday night at Ellis Park against Griquas.
There are however still seasoned stars like scrumhalf and captain Ross Cronje, fullback Andries Coetzee, wing Courtnall Skosan, lock Marvin Orie and hooker Corne Fourie in the mix.
They have however lost flank Cyle Brink (knee), hooker Robbie Coetzee (knee) and prop Dylan Smith (shoulder) for the whole season due to injuries, while scrumhalf Nic Groom (leg) will only return in October
“It’s a great privilege for me to get the opportunity to work with a young group for about eight weeks,” said Van Rooyen, who played Craven Week for two years for the Lions and also turned out for their Under-19 and Under-21 teams, yesterday.
“I have a few ideas but we’ll stick mainly to the Lions brand.”
Van Rooyen said his nickname “Cash” stems from his varsity days at the Dromedaris hostel where everything was “cash” and he got named accordingly.
“I’m new to coaching, yes, but new to the system, no. The last five years I had the opportunity to be really deeply involved in the system and the way we do sessions is that we all sit together and plan together.
“We have capable coaches and coach Swys (de Bruin) is still actively involved,” he said.
Van Rooyen said they like to test the players during the week as well as in the game to see who can play Super Rugby next year and who can’t.
The starting 15 have all got Currie Cup experience, but on the bench hooker HP van Schoor, lock PJ Steenkamp, flank Vincent Tshituka, fullback Tyrone Green and centre Wandile Simelane are in line to make their debuts.