Wholesale changes as Lions give Sangweni a start
Just five players remain from the Lions' 43-40 win over the Cell C Sharks last weekend as coach Ivan van Rooyen made wholesale changes to the starting line-up and pulled in more experience and youth.
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“Sbu is comfortable at six and eight and we want to see what he can bring for us against a team like this. He is mobile and quick and a great defender.”
A number of senior stalwarts are also back, including fullback EW Viljoen, midfielder Dan Kriel, wings Stean Pienaar and Rabz Maxwane and scrumhalf Ross Cronje, lending some experience to the backline.
“We decided to pull some more seniors to allow them more conditioning time, while others deserve an opportunity,” said Van Rooyen.
“There are a couple of rotations and a few guys getting a start after being on the bench, and also guys who haven’t played the last two or three games.”
An interesting engine room combination of Reinhard Nothnagel and Ruben Schoeman gets their chance, with Schoeman looking to get back into favour after being one of the Lions' standouts last season.
“I am looking forward to see what Ruben can do in his start in the place of Willem,” said Van Rooyen.
“He can play a similar type of role for us, so we are excited for him and the same with Notties and Wilhelm. They are just swapping.”
The Lions will be hoping to build on their win over the Stormers to take some much-needed confidence into the Rainbow Cup, which is due to start next month.
Lions: EW Viljoen; Stean Pienaar, Wandisile Simelane, Dan Kriel, Sibahle Maxwane; Elton Jantjies (capt), Ross Croné, Len Massyn, Vincent Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangweni, Reinhard Nothnagel, Ruben Schoeman, Carlu Sadie, PJ Botha, Ruan Dreyer.
Replacements: Jan-Henning Campher, Nathan McBeth, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Wilhelm van der Sluys, MJ Pelser, Morné van den Berg, Fred Zeilinga, Burger Odendaal.
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