Lions' Bok gets Japan sabbatical
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: One of South Africa’s best players is off to Japan after this year’s World Cup.
The Lions Rugby Company, together with SA Rugby, and the newly established contracting model have been able to retain the services of Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx until 2021.
It means Marx will be able to enjoy a temporary release after the World Cup for a sabbatical in Japan and he will return to South Africa and the Lions in June 2020.
Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of the Lions Rugby Company, said they were immensely proud to retain the services of Marx.
“Malcolm has always given the Lions and Springboks 100 percent effort and dedication and to ensure sustainability in the young player’s career, it is important that, together, we look after his wellbeing,” said Straeuli.
Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby, added: “Malcolm has established himself as a world-class player and his contribution to the Springboks has been immense, so his decision to renew his contract with the Lions is very good news indeed.”
Meanwhile, the Lions made four changes for their all-important Super Rugby clash with the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday.
In their last match of the regular season, Elton Jantjies comes in at centre, while Hacjivah Dayimani starts at No.8 in the place of the injured Kwagga Smith.
Rhyno Herbst returns to action to resume his lock partnership with Marvin Orie while Tyrone Green gets the nod at wing.
Reinhard Nothnagel and Courtnall Skosan drop to the bench. Dillon Smit is drafted into the matchday-23 with Wandisile Simelane.
READ: Trans-Jukskei derby a Bok trial
Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Tyrone Green, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Elton Jantjies, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Cyle Brink, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx (captain), 1 Dylan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Wandisele Simelane, 23 Courtnall Skosan.
Date: Saturday, June 15
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Egon Seconds (South Africa), Stefan Geldenhuys (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
