Lions get Bok boost for WP clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen made two changes to his team that will host Western Province at home at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The most significant change is the inclusion of Springbok Ross Cronjé at scrumhalf for this weekend’s Currie Cup encounter against WP.
Cronje swop places with Morne van den Berg at scrumhalf as part of a rotation policy, the Lions revealed.
#⃣REACTION: @rugbyworldcup-winning @Springboks scrumhalf @Hersch_9 has not been axed because of poor form, reports @King365ed
🗣️We couldn’t go back on it just because we didn’t get the result we wanted against the @BlueBullsRugby
🔗https://t.co/jjSrf7m9Lq pic.twitter.com/W6ti6nCiZx— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) December 2, 2020
Tiaan Swanepoel starts at fullback as the other change in the team.
Swanepoel replaced injured EW Viljoen.
The former Stormers back Viljoen picked up a grade 2 hamstring tear in the match last weekend in Kimberley.
The pack remains unchanged from that which recorded a 20-17 win over the Griquas in Round one.
“It’s nice to have Ross back,” Elton Jantjies said.
“He brings a different energy and leadership. He holds the team accountable. Really looking forward to playing with Ross this weekend,”
Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel; 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan; 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Ross Cronjé; 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacemets: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 21 Roelof Smit, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 Dan Kriel
Date: Saturday, December 5
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: ColbtGriffin
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Rasta Rasichebge
TMO: Marius Jonker
Saturday night lights🤩#LIOvWP pic.twitter.com/XaN4dEEQbg
— Xerox Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) December 3, 2020
