Lions coach rests Krappie

Lions coach Cash van Rooyen sprung a surprise yesterday when he dropped scrumhalf Morne van den Berg from the match-day squad to face the Pumas in their final Super Rugby Unlocked game at Ellis Park tomorrow.

Van Rooyen, not known to be one who tampers too much with his side unless for rotational reasons, made some significant changes, five of which are to the run-on side, with veteran Ross Cronje getting a start in the No 9 jersey in place of Van den Berg.

Many may view this game as a dead rubber in terms of title aspirations, with both the Lions and Pumas out of contention, but Van Rooyen was quick to stress that there are still valuable log points up for grabs.

Points accumulated during the course of the current Super Rugby Unlocked series are carried over to the new-look Currie Cup, which gets underway at the end of the month.

While the return of lock Willem Alberts, prop Wiehahn Herbst and flank Hacjivah Dayimani will be a big boost, Van Rooyen explained that Van den Berg’s heavy workload in the last few weeks had been a consideration when leaving him out of the line-up.

“Morne, or Krappie, has had an unbelievable five-week spell and it’s time for Ross and Andre ( Warner) to get an opportunity,” said Van Rooyen.

Prop Sti Sithole moves down to the bench, having formed part of a powerful front row that more than held their own against the Bulls last weekend.

With fullback Gianni Lombard ruled out for nine months due to torn knee ligaments, the Lions were still nevertheless spoiled for choice, with Tiaan Swanepoel, Rossouw and EW Viljoen, all available.

The Lions will take the field tomorrow with a new lock combination, with Alberts and Reinhard Nothnagel paired up, while Orie’s lock partner last week, Ruben Schoeman, has been given a rest.