The Lions ran in six wonderful tries last weekend to kick off their Currie Cup challenge in emphatic fashion but almost more pleasing for coach Johan Ackermann was the return to form of flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff.
The one-Test Springbok has battled for form in the last 12 months, but against the EP Kings last weekend he showed why national boss Heyneke Meyer rated him so highly last year. Boshoff kicked 21 points in Port Elizabeth – six conversions and three penalties – and his distribution, option-taking and tactical kicking was also top notch.
“It was a great performance and I’m really pleased for Bossie,” said Acker-mann yesterday. “He’s going to get a lot of game time now and he’ll get better as the season progresses.
“He’s a confidence player so it’s good he’s out there playing and kicking balls over from all areas on the field.”
While the Lions won comfortably at the weekend; helped by scoring four tries inside 20 minutes, Ackermann said the goal-kicking of Boshoff would be crucial going forward.
“You’re not always going to get a start and lead like that. Kicks will be crucial when the games are tight so having a guy who can kick them over will be very important going forward.
“Bossie showed he’s a match-winner so it’s great he’s in the kind of form he’s in.”
The Lions’ next assignment is against the high-riding Pumas on Friday and Boshoff could be called on to play an even more important role against the men from Mpumalanga. The Pumas caused the upset of round one by dispatching the Sharks and will arrive at Ellis Park a confident lot.
“They’re a very well balanced side and they’re a team full of confidence right now,” said Acker-mann. “They didn’t lose a lot of players after last season so there’s consistency in selection and they again showed against the Sharks they can play and win at this level. It’s going to be a big challenge for us, but as long as we focus only on this game I’m confident we’ll do well.”
Ackermann is likely to make just one change to his matchday squad, possibly bringing in Sampie Mastriet for Anthony Volmink on the wing.
A decision on who plays on Friday will be taken today or tomorrow.
Lions: Ruan Combrink, Courtnall Skosan, Harold Vorster, Howard Mnisi, Sampie Mastriet/Anthony Volmink, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronje, Ruaan Lerm, Kwagga Smith, Jaco Kriel (capt), Martin Muller, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen. Replacements: Robbie Coetzee, Ruan Dreyer, MB Lusaseni, Steph de Wit, Lohan Jacobs, Stokkies Hanekom, Jaco van der Walt. - The Star