VIDEO: 'Don't call us second stringers'
The Lions are fighting for their European survival, determined to follow up last week’s impressive come-from-behind win with another classy performance against Lyon Olympique Universitaire at Ellis Park on Saturday.
There will be some ‘refreshing’ of the team, but Lions loose forward Sibabalo ‘Fudge’ Qoma cautioned against calling the matchday 23 ‘second string’.
“I wouldn’t call us second-stringers,” the 28-year-old retorted to the suggestion that fringe players getting a run are somehow ‘inferior’.
“There are always players who don’t get as many opportunities as the rest,” he said, adding: “Opportunities do come around and players who don’t get much chance get to prove their worth.
“I don’t believe in calling it [certain combinations] second string.”
With some forced changes, there will also be a measure of ‘rotation’.
Lions scrum guru Julian Redelinghuys also dismissed the notion that they will field a ‘second-string’ selection against Lyon.
“That is not, at all, our focus,” Redelinghuys said.
The coach also gave an update on the injury status of loose forward JC Pretorius and star centre Henco van Wyk.
(WATCH as seasoned Lions loose forward Sibabalo Qoma talks ‘team selection’ ahead of the Challenge Cup crunch clash with Lyon Olympique Universitaire at Ellis Park this week…..)
“JC [Pretorius] will be sidelined for a while still,” he said of the flank that hurt his knee in the win over the Scarlets.
“Henco [van Wyk] could be in line for selection this week,” he said of the Springbok training squad midfielder, who has suffered multiple injuries in 2025, including an
ankle injury, a foot injury, and an illness.
Redelinghuys admitted that, like most French teams, they have no real idea of what type of team Lyon Olympique Universitaire will feature at The Den.
“We you can bank on, against any French team, is that if you allow them to get momentum, to get a roll on, they will punish you,” the retired Springbok prop said.
“Their tactical kicking game is also from the top shelf, and they will put you under pressure.
“They are cautious in their own half, but once they go on the attack, they are clinical.
“We will have to be alert at all times.”
After getting just a solitary losing bonus point in the opening rounds – an 18-26 loss to Benetton and a 10-14 reverse against Newcastle – Rounds Three and Four are crucial if they are to stay in the Challenge Cup play-off race.
The Lions host Lyon Olympique Universitaire at Ellis Park on Saturday and then travel to Stade Aime Giral for a Round Four face-off with Perpignan.
“We have built some momentum in the United Rugby Championship,” Redelinhuys said of the team’s elevation to seventh place on the standings.
“However, these competitions are intertwined.
“That is why, in the next few weeks, we will use to give a break to the players who have had a lot of game time.
“Players who are eager and training well will get opportunities.
“However, the emphasis is that we must deliver a follow-up performance,” he said of last week’s 23-22 URC squeaker over the Sharks in Durban.
“After our win over the Bulls [at Loftus Versfeld], we asked for a follow-up performance, and we didn’t get it.
“This week our focus is to deliver another good performance, followed by another good performance.”
He said there won’t be too many changes, but the players who get a run will be ‘deserved’ and of quality.
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