Who will the Lions bench?
Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann is set to name a virtually unchanged team for the Currie Cup Final encounter with Western Province at Newlands on Saturday.
Ackermann, speaking to rugby365 at the start of his team's build-up to the grand finale of South Africa's premier domestic competition, said there are no injury concerns at this stage.
And while his starting XV looks set to remain unchanged, he may tweak his bench.
Last week, in the 50-20 semifinal win over the Sharks, Ackermann had a loose forward-heavy bench – which featured Willie Britz covering lock, with Warwick Tecklenburg and Sevens international Albertus Smith the specialist loose forwards.
Hooker Armand van der Merwe and prop Julian Redelinghuys were the only front row forwards on the bench.
That was in stark contrast to previous weeks where he had an entire front row – Van der Merwe, Redelinghuys and Jacques van Rooyen – as cover.
He may well go back to that recipe.
"I will most likely make a final call on my bench on Thursday," the Lions mentor said.
"I must make a call if I should name two props or an additional loose forward.
"The [starting] team is set to be basically the same – it is just the composition of the bench that I have to make my mind up over."
Ackermann said there are a number of guys with bumps and bruises and some guys who suffered from cramping in the with over the Sharks last Saturday.
However, they have come through the match unscathed.
"A few guys will not take contact in the early stages of the week," he told rugby365.
"[Centre] Lionel Mapoe [will miss contact] today [Monday] and tomorrow [Tuesday], while [lock] Martin Muller is also being kept out, as he is struggling with a sore body."
He said it is important that the Lions stay with the same routine they have followed all year, as they build towards the big Newlands outing.
"We won't add anything or take anything away," he said, adding: "It will be the same amount of training and the same type of training.
"We won't need any additional motivation and we believe the energy will be there."
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
