The Sigma Lions have totally reversed their decision to back a young side in the Carling Currie Cup and returned several seasoned campaigners to the side for their match against the Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday.
For the first few rounds of the competition, the Lions shunned calls to use more seasoned players and filled their side with the bulk of the under-20 side that won the national junior competition last season.
But without a win, they have decided to totally change their strategy and brought back players such as Tiaan Swanepoel, Divan Rossouw, Rabs Maxwane, Fred Zeilinga and seasoned Super Rugby campaigner JP Smith for the clash. Smith previously played for the Reds and Brumbies in Australia.
“It’s an opportunity to turn our season’s results around,” coach Mziwakhe Nkosi said as the team prepared to head to Bloemfontein.
“It doesn't get easier at all visiting the competition favorites, but that's the nature of the competition. We're expecting a motivated Cheetahs team who will look to play an expansive game on their home pitch.”
The Lions will be looking to cut down on errors during the game so that they can finally get a win.
“We spoke extensively about implementing our plans and more importantly retaining our focus for longer periods of the game,” said Nkosi.
“Looking back at our last outing against the Sharks, we felt costly errors let us down and we know a team like the Toyota Cheetahs will pounce if given the opportunity. If we can limit those little mistakes, we believe we’ll be in with a real chance of achieving a positive result,” he added.
SIGMA LIONS:
Tiaan Swanepoel, Rabz Maxwane, James Mollentze, Tyler Bocks, Divan Rossouw; Fred Zeilinga, Jurich Claasens; Jarod Cairns, Emmanuel Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangweni, Simon Dinisio, Lunga Ncube, Asenathi Ntlabakanye (captain), PJ Botha, JP Smith
Replacements: Dameon Venter, Banele Mthenjane, Chergin Fillies, Izan Esterhuizen, MJ Pelser, Ginter Smuts, James Tedder. Luke Rossouw