The Lions may be the favourites against Western Province in tomorrow’s Currie Cup final at Ellis Park, but rugby writer Jacques van der Westhuyzen discovers here, as he analyses the key departments of the outfits, that there’s actually very little separating the teams
Tight-fives:
Both sides have power and athleticism and, if truth be told, have the ability to get the better of the other. The scrums will be massive – such a key part of the game now with referees opting to penalise teams far sooner than resetting the scrum. Both have had their moments and the tussle between Julian Redelinghuys and Steven Kitshoff should be a goodie. The Lions may just edge it at scrum-time. Generally, the home team also have the more mobile tight-five with locks Franco Mostert, pictured, and Lourens Erasmus quick around the park and big tacklers, but, that said, WP No5 Ruan Botha is also a solid operator, who’ll be a menace in the line-outs. Bongi Mbonambi’s line-out throwing will be crucial for his team, but so will Robbie Coetzee’s for the Lions.
Loose forwards:
Again, there’s not much between them in this department. The Lions will rely on the two fetchers in their trio – Jaco Kriel, pictured, and Kwagga Smith – to secure them quick ruck ball and then No8 Warren Whiteley will be tasked with the linking role with the backs. Kriel is the key man in the game. If he’s fully over his groin problem and is allowed to get into space he’ll cause havoc, but so, too, will Smith – a real busy-body and a player with genuine X-factor qualities. But if Province are able to keep the duo in check they’ll be in with a real shout. Whiteley will be hoping to make a big impact after a rather quiet return to the team after injury in recent weeks. Province’s Nizaam Carr is a player who gets involved in everything and will ask questions with ball-in-hand, while Rynhardt Elstadt is the bruiser who likes to get stuck in and take his team over the gain-line. Then there’s Sikhumbuzo Notshe; a busy player who who’s made a habit of scoring off the driving maul.
Halfbacks:
The Lions certainly have the edge in this area of the game. Scrumhalf Ross Cronje, pictured, has grown immensely as a player in the last two years; he’s quick to the rucks, his service is swift and he reads the game very, very well. He’s also a dangerous runner in space. Outside him, Marnitz Boshoff controls the game. He’s far from a kicking No10; his distribution and passing playing a major role in the number of tries the Lions have scored this year. Then there’s his kicking at goal – 68 out of 72 so far. He’ll be key. For WP Nic Groom faces a real test of character – he’s a quality No9, but has been found wanting at times with his box kicks, while flyhalf Robert du Preez, too, faces a stern mental examination. He’s a strong runner and good passer, but has gone wandering at times this season, while he’s not nearly as accurate off the kicking tee.
Centres:
It’s quite astonishing to think that the Lions duo of Howard Mnisi, pictured, and Rohan Janse van Rensburg have only played three games together. But, in the absence of Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe, Mnisi has grabbed his chance and performed brilliantly this season, while Janse van Rensburg is a real rough diamond. They’re, however, going up against a wily campaigner in Juan de Jongh, who’s equally adept at poking holes in the defence and finding runners next to him. And, let’s not forget about his tackling – he may not be a big guy, but he hardly misses his man.
Johnny Kotze next to him is very under-rated; a powerful ball-carrier who knows his way to the tryline, he’ll be looking for a big outing.
Back Three:
The Lions are just a tad weaker without Ruan Combrinck in the side, but in Courtnall Skosan and Anthony Volmink they have very good wingers. Skosan has been superb this season while Volmink knows one thing; get to the tryline as quickly as possible. Andries Coetzee is the steady operator at the back, a dangerous counter-attacker and a player who’s able to drive the opposition back with his booming kicks. But, WP probably shade their opponents out wide. Cheslin Kolbe, pictured, is an extremely dangerous runner, as are Dillyn Leyds and Seabelo Senatla.
Benches:
Johan Ackermann’s men have the players on the bench with the required X-factor to swing the game in their favour should it come to that. From Malcolm Marx and Ruan Dreyer in the front row to Steph de Wit, Jaco van der Walt and Stokkies Hanekom, the home team have depth and skill. WP are not as well stocked, but in Jano Vermaak, they’ve got a scrumhalf who could play a key role. - The Star