Dealing with … Tame the lion

I remember when I was a little boy I used to tell myself and everyone: “When I grow up I am going to be a Springbok rugby player.”

June 18, 2021

Dewald de Beer 1 minute read

I bet a lot of rugby supporters are just as excited as I am about the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour, here in South Africa.

After young Dewald watched his heroes on TV he would run and tackle his brother, kick every ball in his way and practice his dives over the try line in the backyard, dreaming about wearing the green and gold jersey; little did I know it was only going to be a supporter’s jersey.

Yet, my love for the game will forever stay and I will support with every opportunity that arises. The Lions tour has risen and I am backing my boytjies to deliver.

South African supporters last saw the Springboks play an international game in the Rugby World Cup final against England on November 2, 2019. Just a small reminder for the English supporters ‒ we won the game 32-12 and were crowned world champions.

A lot of the English players from that World Cup final is in the British and Irish Lions squad and is going to play for redemption.

The Springboks will want to prove that there is a reason they are world champions and try their best to win the three-match series. A lot of the Springbok World Cup squad members were named along with some new and old faces to tame the Lions.

It is going to be a spectacular tour. Fans are sweating over the availability of strongman Duane Vermeulen after going under the knife to fix his ankle. He limped off the field against the DHL Stormers in a Rainbow Cup match on Friday, June 4.

There was also another injury scare with Damian De Allende and RG Snyman. The Springbok centre and lock were involved in a ‘fire pit’ accident when petrol was added to the fire by a Munster teammate.

We hope these players a speedy recovery over the next few weeks. The first test between the British and Irish Lions and the Springboks will be on Saturday, July 24 in Cape Town.

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