Jantjies back ... but only on the bench
Lions coach John Mitchell was able to recall a few of his senior players, ahead of their Super Rugby encounter with the Crusaders in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Mitchell delayed the announcement of his team till Friday, in the hope that his injury crisis would at least partially clear up.
And it paid dividends.
Alwyn Hollenbach has been passed fit and will run out at inside centre in place of the injured Doppies la Grange.
The rest of the starting side is exactly that which lost so narrowly against the Stormers last weekend.
There is also the good news that Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies and Sevens Bok Lionel Mapoe have recovered from their injuries.
However, both will play off the bench.
Although the injuries have forced Mitchell to persevere with what is not remotely his best selection, the spirit in the team, their determination and confidence after last weekend’s close loss make this a side not to be taken lightly – even against a Crusaders side including a number of World Cup winners.
Lions: 15 James Kamana, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Andries Coetzee, 10 Butch James, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss (captain), 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Marius Coetzer, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Cobus Grobbelaar, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Lionel Mapoe.
Date: Saturday, March 31
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Reuben Rossouw (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
