Van Zyl called up to add pace to Lions forward division

CHRIS van Zyl has been named to partner Franco van der Merwe in a mobile Golden Lions second row against the Sharks at Ellis Park tomorrow night.

Van Zyl and Warren Whiteley’s inclusion are the only changes to the starting line-up that beat the Blue Bulls at Ellis Park last Saturday.

Another returnee, utility forward Willie Britz, will make his comeback as a substitute, while Grant Janke also cracked the nod on the bench.

Van Zyl, brother of the former Western Province and Lions lock, Anton, will bring pace to a forward division that is likely to be spread thin if the Sharks have their way tomorrow.

“He played No 8 in the Vodacom Cup and is very mobile,” agreed Lions coach Johan Ackermann.

The Sharks are quite an attacking side and I think it could be a match well worth watching

“He is a good No 4 lineout option but I am looking for a lock that can do a job similar to what Hendrik Roodt provided us. I will need Chris to organise our drives and disrupt the opposition’s,” Ackermann added.

The Sharks ran the Cheetahs ragged in Durban last Saturday and the Lions will be desperate to counter them with a similarly speedy approach.

Ackermann expects the Sharks to provide a genuine threat on attack, especially when they are allowed to show their opportunistic streak.

“They have scored quite a few tries from turnover balls and from unnecessary kicks. They have a few players like Keegan (Daniel) and Lwazi (Mvovo) who we have to watch very carefully,” warned the coach.

The Sharks have improved immeasurably since their disastrous start to the season, where they went down at home to Griquas. “They are a much better side than they were earlier in the season. It’s obvious they are now used to their coaching team. They are quite an attacking side and I think it could be a match well worth watching,” Ackermann said.