Quan, Krappie, Jordan: Why the next generation Lions backline is so exciting

Lions youngsters Morne van den Berg, Jordan Hendrikse and Quan Horn are expected to become the spine of the franchise’s backline over the coming seasons, and if the union can hold onto them it will bode well for their future.

Van den Berg (scrumhalf) at 24 is the oldest of the three, with Hendrikse (flyhalf) and Horn (fullback) both 20, and with all three having impressed during the team’s inaugural season in the United Rugby Championship, they will likely be in high demand.

However, they are unlikely to see as much game time at a union with more depth, so it would do them well to stay where they are and the Lions should use that to build a team around them.

Ahead of the coming weekend’s match against Connacht, Lions backline coach Ricardo Loubscher was talking about the growth and importance of the three players.

‘Excitement and energy’

“We have been working on having an alignment between Krappie (van den Berg), Jordan and Quan at the back, as they are the spine of our backline,” explained Loubscher.

“They are still young and have a lot to learn. But I think what we are getting right at the moment is a better understanding of quick ball versus slow ball.

“I think the big thing for them is to bring their strengths to the game, as they bring a lot of excitement and energy on attack.”

Van den Berg is set to get a bit of extra competition as well with well-placed sources saying that 23-year-old Sharks scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba is on the verge of joining the union.

With the experienced Andre Warner having been displaced by Van den Berg’s recent form, it makes for a stacked department, with another youngster in Ginter Smuts also on the Lions’ books.

Loubscher, however, believes that 29-year-old Warner still has  an important role to play at the Lions, despite the amount of exciting young talent in the position.

Young backline

“In terms of Andre Warner I think there is still a role for him to play. You saw against the Sharks just how important it was for him to come on with all his experience and leadership qualities, just to control the game. So we are fortunate to have those types of guys in our squad,” said Loubscher.

The entire Lions backline is extremely young, with them losing their most experienced member in 29-year-old inside centre Burger Odendaal who is destined for Wasps at the end of the season.

Outside centre Wandisile Simelane is 24 and wings Edwill van der Merwe and Rabz Maxwane are both 26, while back-ups Tiaan Swanepoel (25), Stean Pienaar (24) and Manie Rass (24) all have plenty of years ahead of them.