Simelane gets spot in Lions starting lineup at last

Wandisile Simelane has finally cracked the nod in the Lions’ starting lineup for tomorrow’s Super Rugby clash against the Melbourne Rebels.

The Lions‚ with their backs to the wall after defeat to the struggling Waratahs last week‚ have made three changes to their starting lineup and two to their bench for their second match on their Australasian tour.

Simelane gets in ahead of Manuel Ras, who drops out of the match-day 23.

Simelane‚ a rugby prodigy of whom much was expected when he graduated to the senior ranks ‚ is yet to bloom.

However‚ his absence from the Lions starting team‚ or at times the match-day 23‚ has left some of the country’s leading rugby brains baffled.

He gets the opportunity next to Dan Kriel, who has been a regular starter at inside centre.

Another welcome entry into the starting lineup is barrelchested flanker Willem Alberts, who has been used sparingly this season.

Alberts will have the responsibility to bash away at the gain line and deliver some destructive tackles ‚ as he did at times against the Waratahs.

Lions lineout consultant Warren Whiteley is also aware of Alberts’s aerial abilities in the set-piece.

“He has been quality and has made a difference in this group,” Whiteley said.

The other new starter is hooker Pieter Jansen.

Despite the fact that the Lions have won just one of their four matches‚ Whiteley‚ the former captain, says there is no additional pressure on the team to get the job done this week.

“We ’ ve worked hard this week on one or two areas. The guys are in good spirits.”

So confident are the Rebels following their win over the Highlanders that they have named an unchanged squad for the first time since 2015 for tomorrow’s clash.

“Everyone turned up [last week]‚ did their bit and stayed on task‚ so I think it’s great those boys get rewarded for that and get another go‚” Rebels captain Dane HaylettPetty