Emirates Lions will face the log leaders in the Vodacom Super Rugby South African Conference 2 this coming Saturday, April 9, in Durban.
They have named their strong squad to take on the Cell C Sharks at home. The match will start at 17:00.
Head coach Johan Ackermann has made two changes to the side.
Ross Cronjé will start at scrumhalf for the first time after sustaining a facial injury in the friendly in Polokwane against the Bulls, while Rohan Janse van Rensburg starts at centre.
“Both these inclusions are part of the rotational system that we have in place to manage a big squad of players in a very long Vodacom Super Rugby competition,” said Ackermann.
The Golden Lions Rugby Union is proud to announce that its coaching staff have all renewed their contracts with the union until the end of 2018.
Swys de Bruin (Assistant Coach Attack), JP Ferreira (Assistant Coach Defence) and Ivan van Rooyen (Assistant Coach Conditioning) all put pen to paper for another two years.
“We are delighted that the contracting of our coaches is finalised and we can focus on the two competitions that we are taking part in, as it brings stability and continuity to the GLRU,” said Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of the Lions.
The union is also proud to announce that its u.19 Head coach Joey Mongalo has been appointed as the Defence coach of the South African Junior Springboks. “We are honoured that some of our coaching corps get this type of recognition,” Straeuli said.
Further to the contracted list previously announced, Faf de Klerk and Armand van der Merwe have also signed their contracts in the meantime.
Xerox Golden Lions will play Border on Friday, April 8, at 14:00 at Emirates Airline Park in a Currie Cup match.
The Xerox Golden Lions XV coach Bafana Nhleko has selected a side with a good blend of youth and experience for their first encounter in the provincial competition that kicks off on Friday.
Number eight Ruaan Lerm will lead the side and will partner with experienced loose-forwards Robert Kruger and Steph de Witt.
“Our supporters can expect the same brand of rugby from the Lions XV and we are very excited for the opportunity to take our game to the community when we will be in action at our local clubs,” Nhleko said.
“I am proud to be part of this company and its history and for the players to run out in the Lions jersey and what it stands for,” he said.
According to Nhleko, who will be assisted by Wessel Roux and Herkie Kruger, the youngsters in his side can make their mark in this competition while the seniors can knock on the door of the Super Rugby side.
