Lions face stern opposition

Xerox Golden Lions will face some stern opposition when they play DHL Western Province this weekend.

“We know that Western Province is a confidence side after their wins, but will have to take them on and record a win at home,” said Head coach Johan Ackermann. “If you can win at home you are half way there, then you only need to record some away wins.”

He has announced his 22-man side to front DHL Western Province at Ellis Park on Saturday. The team needed some shifting as players were injured and weren’t up for selection. Lionel Mapoe was also named as the side’s captain for the match against the Cape side.

“I’m quite excited to captain the side. The whole team is also there to help so it will be an easy task. We will have to curve the WP players, because they like to move on their quick feet as there are a few sevens players selected for the team,” said Mapoe.

In the Xerox Golden Lions backline, Lionel Mapoe shifts to outside centre, with Stokkies Hanekom moving into the inside centre berth. Courtnall Skosan has been recalled to the starting side at left wing.

Ricky Schroeder will start at scrumhalf in the place of the injured Ross Cronje.

In the forwards, Willie Britz will start at eighth man, while Kwagga Smith has also been called up to the starting XV at flank. Armand van der Merwe will start the match at hooker.

Jaco Kriel will need to pass a late medical test in order to start this weekend, after he sustained a minor calf injury at Tuesday’s training session.

On the bench, Malcolm Marx will cover hooker and will aim to make his ABSA Currie Cup debut should he get a run out. Michael Bondesio has been called up to provide scrumhalf cover.

The match will get under way at 17:05.

15. Andries Coetzee

14. Ruan Combrinck

13. Lionel Mapoe (c)

12. Stokkies Hanekom

11. Courtnall Skosan

10. Jaco van der Walt

9. Ricky Schroeder

8. Willie Britz

7. Kwagga Smith

6. Jaco Kriel/Warwick Tecklenburg

5. Franco Mostert

4. MB Lusaseni

3. Ruan Dreyer

2. Armand van der Merwe

1. Schalk van der Merwe

16. Malcolm Marx

17. Jacques van Rooyen

18. Martin Muller

19. Warwick Tecklenburg/Steph de Wit

20. Michael Bondesio

21. Mark Richards

22. Howard Mnisi