Whiteley: Lions stars deserve it
CAPTAIN: IT’S REWARD FOR CONSISTENT PERFORMANCES
Ellis Park outfit well represented in the two squads.
There was an additional reason for newly appointed Springbok captain Warren Whiteley to celebrate this week. Whiteley, the first Lions skipper in 16 years to be appointed Bok captain since the days of Rassie Erasmus and Andre Vos in 2001, was delighted to see three of his team-mates named among the eight uncapped players.
Scrumhalf Ross Cronje, fullback Andries Coetzee and wing Courtnall Skosan were rewarded for their consistent good form with places among the 31-man squad.
“I’m extremely happy for them, they deserve it and we have walked a long road together,” said Whiteley.
“And not just at the moment but the last few years they have been playing great rugby and proven they can play at the highest level.”
Whiteley admitted though being national captain requires more challenges having to work with five different franchises as well as four overseas players.
A few years back Cronje had to move from the Sharks and Skosan from the Bulls before gaining recognition while Dreyer only became the Lions’ first-choice No 3 after the neck injury to Julian Redelinghuys.
“I’m looking forward to what they can do. For them it will also be something new and it’s always nice for me to see that,” said Whiteley.
“To be able to train with the Boks and everything that goes with being a part of the Bok setup, is special and just to see that joy, because they are not just people to me but brothers.”
It means that 12 of the 15 starting line-up members of the Lions are either in the Bok squad or the SA A side, with Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster and Ruan Combrinck named in the SA A side.
The three missing out are prop Jacques van Rooyen, lock Andries Ferreira and flank Ruan Ackermann, while a fourth in flank Kwagga Smith has been performing very well in the absence of Jaco Kriel.