Lions take different squad, including comeback kid Oosthuizen, to France

The Emirates Lions selected virtually a new squad to head to France for their EPCR Challenge game with Perpignan on Sunday, with the surprise inclusion of former Sharks and Lyon utility forward Etienne Oosthuizen.

Oosthuizen was ruled out for three years with a heart ailment, ending his time in France and signed for the Lions this season but hasn’t been seen in action yet.

But with the rotation policy firmly in place, the Lions have decided to send almost a different 26-man squad abroad to face Perpignan, while their first choice players stay in South Africa.

“It’s really lekker to see a guy who thought he was never going to play again, and to come back after two and a half years off the field. When he got to us his conditioning wasn’t great but he has worked incredibly hard to get himself in shape and we’re really excited to see him play.

"He played a lot for Lyon and he brings a level of experience and calmness to the pack, but he is also a big boy, so we are looking forward to seeing him in action,” assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys said before departure.

Our focus shifts to Investec Challenge Cup action this Sunday against Perpignan. All the best to the 26 players heading to France tomorrow.

📢 Read More: https://t.co/OGPO76KWCb #LionsPride @ChallengeCup_ pic.twitter.com/SPd11udv03
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) December 5, 2023

Coach Ivan van Rooyen, defence coach Jaque Fourie and Redelinghuys will accompany the team, while forwards coach Barend Pieterse and attack coach Ricardo Loubscher will stay behind to look after the remaining players and prepare for next week’s game against Newcastle Falcons.

The Lions team boss stressed the need to make use of his current squad, meaning implementing a rotation policy to tackle the demands of playing in two topflight international competitions.

“Rotation was always part of the plan for this trip to France. We have the opportunity to tap into the squad we currently have for the next two weeks of Challenge Cup fixtures both away and home.

“To get the performance we want and to potentially win both games (Perpignan and Newcastle Falcons), we will rely on the players at our disposal as we have huge confidence in using the broader squad. We've prepared and trained accordingly for the past 2-3 weeks so we'll be ready to go.”

Part of the Lions' failure to qualify for the Investec Champions’ Cup last season was due to them overusing their main players and not rotating enough and the decision to take a different squad is a change in thinking from the Johannesburg side.

Jaco Visagie will captain the side with Andries Coetzee as vice captain.

EMIIRATES LIONS TOURING SQUAD

Backs

Andries Coetzee

Erich Cronje

Zander du Plessis

Boldwin Hansen

Jordan Hendrikse

Rynhardt Jonker

Gianni Lombard

Rabz Maxwane

Johan Mulder