Pride of Lions boasts super strength in depth

GETTING HIS STRIPES: Kwagga Smith, after switching his focus from Sevens to XVs, will bring his fully committed and explosive brand of rugby to Super Rugby after being named in the Lions squad for this season. EVEN without Julian Redelinghuys, Warwick Tecklenburg and Marnitz Boshoff, the Lions have been able to name a formidable squad for this year’s Super Rugby campaign.

Coach Johan Ackermann yesterday announced the 40 players he has put his trust in to help the side go one step further than last year and win the title. The Lions surprised friend and foe a year ago by dominating the competition and featuring in the final, where they lost to the Hurricanes in Wellington, New Zealand.

Redelinghuys will miss out completely this year because of a neck injury, Tecklenburg has retired and Boshoff – the backup to Elton Jantjies – is now playing in Ireland.

Even so, Ackermann has been able to name nine Springboks in his squad, including Warren Whiteley, who’s set to be named team leader next week ahead of the Lions’ opening match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

The squad includes all the stars from last year and a few newcomers, too.

Props Sti Sithole, Johannes Jonker and Hencus van Wyk add depth in the front row positions, while rookies from the junior ranks, flank Hacjivah Dayimani, wing Madosh Tambwe and flyhalf Shaun Reynolds will potentially get their first tastes of Super Rugby in the coming months.

Kwagga Smith, the SA Sevens star, will also feature in Super Rugby this year after previously only playing Currie Cup rugby because of his Sevens commitments, while former Bulls lock Marvin Orie will add depth in the second row.

The candidate most likely to fill Redelinghuys’ shoes is the experienced Ruan Dreyer, while Tecklenburg’s No 7 jersey will most likely be swapped around, between Ruan Ackermann, Cyle Brink and possibly Smith.

With no Boshoff in the mix, Reynolds will be asked to grow up very quickly but Jaco van der Walt and Andries Coetzee have fulfilled the No 10 duties before.

The Lions warmed up for Super Rugby with clashes against the Bulls, Stormers and an invitation side. Their first game of the tournament is in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs next week Saturday.