Lions lean on former Sharks
Ross Cronje at scrumhalf is one of six changes to the Golden Lions team for their friendly encounter with the Sharks in Johannesburg on Friday.
Cronje, who had few outing for the Sharks Super Rugby side before moving to Johannesburg, will start at scrumhalf ahead of regular No.9 Michael Bondesio.
Chrysander Botha returns at fullback, after his stint with the Namibian national side, which sees Ruan Combrinck moving to the right wing and Deon van Rensburg dropping to the replacement bench.
The ankle injury flank Jaco Kriel suffered against Western Province last week will see Warwick Tecklenburg start after he recovered from injury.
Julian Redelinghuys, for Springbok CJ van der Linde at tighthead prop and Francois du Toit for Robbie Coetzee at hooker are the other changes to the starting XV.
On the bench there is another former Shark in Lambert Groenewald, who the Golden Lions recently contracted.
Groenewald, who captained the 2007 Paul Roos and Western Province Craven Week teams, played for the Sharks age group teams in 2008, 2009 and 2010 – before making his Vodacom Cup and Super Rugby debuts for the Durban-based outfit in 2011.
He joined Italian outfit Brescia at the end of 2011 and a year later moved to Ordizia in Spain.
He has been compared to Springbok legend Juan Smith – a strong runner, with great ball carrying capabilities.
Golden Lions: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Nicolaas Hanekom, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Warwick Tecklenburg, 5 Hugo Kloppers, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (captain).
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Gavin Annandale, 19 Lambert Groenewald, 20 Michael Bondesio, 21 Dylan des Fountain, 22 Deon van Rensburg.
Date: Friday, 21 June
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Ben Crouse
Assistant referees: Tiaan Jonker, Sieg van Staden
