Lions wait on Tshituka, Sithole

The Xerox Lions will head into Saturday’s Carling Currie Cup showdown with the Cell C Sharks not knowing if two of their key players will be fit.

Both last week’s hero Vincent Tshituka and prop Sti Sithole have been bracketed after struggling with what the team calls “niggling injuries” and will undergo late fitness tests ahead of the game.

Should they not be cleared, then Wilhelm van der Sluys will move into the starting line-up and the pack will be juggled while Dylan Smith will take over from Sithole in the front row.

Coach Ivan van Rooyen said it was not the nicest way to go into a game, but they were positive that squad depth would carry them through.

“We’ve said from the beginning we have a competitive squad, it has a nice blend of seniors and juniors. It is sad for Sti, he has been playing well but nice to bring Dylan back, he has been training well and has shown he can take the step up,” Van Rooyen said.

“Wilhelm is a little bit of an experiment for us, he has been coming on and playing seven for us, so we’re excited to see what he does with the opportunity.”

Tshituka is obviously a key man in the team, and excelled against the Cheetahs last weekend, and as Van Rooyen rightly says, he will be missed if he can’t pass his fitness test.

“If he doesn’t make it, Willem will move to seven and Wilhelm will move to four,” Van Rooyen added.

“I think everyone will agree Vincent is in incredible form. His work rate is really high and his contribution is big in the team. He is in places where other players don’t get to and he does things other players can’t do. He will be missed if he can’t play, we saw last weekend what a big impact he had in the game, and hopefully he will be ready but if he can’t, hopefully he recovers quickly.”

The Lions see Saturday’s game as a key mover for their hopes of making the playoffs and know a win is essential to continue the momentum they have picked up thus far in the competition.

“There are three games left for us, this is our last home game, so we are keen to keep the continuity and for the guys to really bring it this weekend. Potentially the log is congested, these are three big games and this weekend is a big weekend for us, result-wise.”

Try scorers from the previous match all got the nod and Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts and André Warner will get another run this week.

Both Burger Odendaal and Jamba Ulengo come in on the bench and will make an impact in the second half.

Xerox Lions: Tiaan Swanepoel; Stean Pienaar, Wandisile Simelane, Dan Kriel, Courtnall Skosan; Elton Jantjies (captain), André Warner; Len Massyn, Vincent Tshituka/Wilhelm van der Sluys, Jaco Kriel, Marvin Orie, Willem Alberts, Jannie du Plessis, Jaco Visagie, Sti Sithole/Dylan Smith.

Replacements: Jan-Henning Campher, Ruan Dreyer, Wiehahn Herbst, Reinhard Nothnagel, Roelof Smit, Morné van den Berg, Burger Odendaal, Jamba Ulengo, Carlu Sadie, Manuel Rass