Lions boss Johan Ackermann faces an anxious 24 hours ahead of finalising his team for the much-anticipated Currie Cup derby with the Bulls at Loftus this weekend.
The top-of-the-table Lions – the only team to bag all 25 points on offer from their five games – have suffered a bit of an injury crisis in recent weeks and may be somewhat under-strength for their match against the only other unbeaten team this year.
Already without key Super Rugby stars Faf de Klerk, who’s turning out for the Pumas, and Elton Jantjies, Lionel Mapoe and Warwick Tecklenburg, who’re all on duty at clubs in Japan, the Lions have had to soldier on without the likes of Harold Vorster and Jaco Kriel, too, in recent weeks; both men nursing injuries.
And, just when it seemed these setbacks were to be offset by the return of captain Warren Whiteley from the Springboks, the lanky No8 was struck down with a calf strain. He was withdrawn from the side to face the EP Kings on Thursday last week and will definitely miss the trip up the N1 on Saturday. The Lions are also missing the man who’d stood in for Whiteley in the early rounds, Ruaan Lerm.
It now seems Ackermann will continue with Fabian Booysen at No8 and Kwagga Smith and Steph de Wit on the flanks.
There are other areas in the team, too, that will keep Ackermann’s mind busy over the next day or so.
Key tighthead prop Julian Redelinghuys has a chest injury and will have to pass a late fitness test tomorrow to play at the weekend, while lock Martin Muller (ankle) may be available for selection, but also has to pass a fitness test.
Among the backs, Stokkies Hanekom (jaw) should be available for selection, but he’ll only be allowed to take contact again tomorrow, while Jaco van der Walt (chest) is in the same boat.
The only player who featured in last weekend’s match against the Kings who’s been ruled out completely is wing Anthony Volmink, who has a concussion.
It is, however, not all bad news for the Lions. It needs to be remembered Ackermann made a number of rotational changes for the Kings game and back in the mix for the match against Nollis Marais’ high-flying Bulls will be the likes of Courtnall Skosan, Ross Cronjé and Franco Mostert, who all sat out last weekend. Marnitz Boshoff, too, is likely to move straight back into the starting team, while there’s a good chance Kriel could be back, most probably from off the bench.
The Loftus showdown promises to be a thriller, with both teams hungry for tries. The Lions lead the way with 24 tries, while the Bulls have 23. - The Star