3 reasons why Ruan Combrinck’s return is huge for the Lions

The return of Ruan Combrinck for the Lions following his long-term injury is significant.

Last year’s Super Rugby runners-up’s form has been distinctly patchy as they’ve lost three of their last four matches, rendering Saturday’s derby against the Stormers important in helping them establish a comfortable buffer in the South African conference again.

The sheer presence of the 27-year-old adds to the Lions’ arsenal already but his vast range of skills really is impressive.

Here’s why the men from Ellis Park are gleefully welcoming him back.

His kicking ability is a rarity in this side

It sounds rather crude but when the Lions go for touch or launch a tactical kick, they can only use left-footed kickers because they are the only players present.

Indeed, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and Andries Coetzee have had to have their wits about them in adapting, especially since they’ve sometimes had to adapt to some difficult angles to kick from.

Combrinck is a right-footer.

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to add things up.

“He’s got a brilliant right foot,” said Lions coach Swys de Bruin.

“We’ve had a bunch of left-footers to date. He can help us exploit other angles with his boot.”

He adds experience to a youthful setup

Despite the presence of various stalwarts, the Lions are actually still missing five Springboks currently.

And in a competition of this stature, that type of void is still felt.

In 2017, Combrinck also started his campaign relatively late but immediately burst to life with a brilliant showing against the Bulls.

The Lions are banking on that again.

“He’s very experienced,” said De Bruin.

“We actually could’ve picked him earlier but I wanted his head to 100% as well. It is now. There’s a calmness he’s brought to training and the camp in generally. I’ve seen it immediately.”

He’s a vital extra goal-kicker

Jantjies has shouldered the goal-kicking responsibility commendably this season and he will always remain the go-to guy in that regard.

But there has been the constant risk of the Lions being in trouble on a day when the Springbok flyhalf would have an off-day because there were no other regular kickers in the side.

Combrinck relieves that pressure.

After all, it was him who landed a massive 57m match-winner in last year’s playoff against the Sharks.

“It’s definitely nice to have that backup,” said De Bruin.

“He’s got the priceless ability to slot those crucial long-range kicks.”

Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Madosh Tambwe, Elton Jantjies, Dillon Smit, Hacjivah Dayimani, Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert (c), Marvin Orie, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith. Bench: Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Johannes Jonker, Lourens Erasmus, Marnus Schoeman, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Howard Mnisi, Sylvian Mahuza.

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