JOHANNESBURG - While the Lions will need a mighty team effort to get past the Jaguares in Super Rugby on Saturday (9.40pm SA time), there can be no denying young flyhalf Shaun Reynolds possibly holds the key to the outcome.
If the 21-year-old debutant performs, there’s every chance the Lions will pick up a crucial away win and stay unbeaten after this weekend’s round.
One man who has complete faith in the new Lions No10 is another former flyhalf, Herkie Kruger, who not only played Super Rugby himself and knows a thing or two about the competition and the pressures of pivot play, but has coached Reynolds in the Lions’ junior teams for several years.
“I coached Shaun for three years so I know him well,” said the Lions Under-20 coach. “I’m so happy he’s getting a chance, he’s a quality all-round player who’ll be up to the challenge.
“Sure, there will be butterflies floating around in his stomach, but I have no doubt he will step up this weekend.”
Kruger explained Reynolds, who played most of his junior rugby at inside centre, has shown he can handle the pressure of the big-match situation.
“There’s no doubt it’s going to be an intimidating atmosphere in Buenos Aires; the Argentines are a passionate people, and this Jaguares team are at home for the first time this season, but Shaun’s been through a lot already in his young life, and he’s come out on top.
“He’ll attack the gain-line, as all the Lions teams’ flyhalves are expected to do, but he’s also got a strong passing game and is sound in defence.
“He’s also a good kicker, so I hope he enjoys a great debut.”
All eyes will be on Reynolds to lead the attack, but he will not be the only player today who’ll be hoping to make a big impact.
Jacques Nel, the Lions’ Currie Cup backline Player of the Year last season, gets a chance to show his mettle in the centres, alongside the very gifted Harold Vorster, while Anthony Volmink and Jaco van der Walt get a rare start on wing and fullback respectively.
But it’s really upfront where the Lions will have to lay the foundation for their performance and here one can only hope the visitors manage to get on top of their hosts.
There is no Ruan Ackermann or Jaco Kriel, or Franco Mostert or Ruan Dreyer in the starting team today so it’ll be up to the likes of Warren Whiteley, Cyle Brink and Kwagga Smith to speed up the game and put the Jaguares on the back foot, while debutant lock Marvin Orie will be seeking a big effort in the second row to push for a permanent place in the Lions match-day squad.
Say what you want, coach Johan Ackermann has gambled with his team selection - as he did a little under a year ago when he sent a second-string side to Buenos Aires in the last round-robin match and the Lions lost, costing them the chance of hosting a home Super Rugby final.
It is still early in the competition this time around, but after the strong start they have made - they are coming off scoring 50 points against the Waratahs - the Lions won’t want to lose momentum now already.
A win would do the entire squad, including fringe players like Reynolds and Co, a world of good.