While Western Province have been strengthened by the return to fitness of experienced captain Juan de Jongh, the Lions will be banking on the exuberance of youth when the teams clash in a crucial Currie Cup match at Ellis Park on Friday.
Lions boss Johan Ackermann has included two rookies in his starting team for the match – a game Western Province must win if they’re to keep alive their hopes of finishing second on the log and booking themselves a home semi-final.
Promising loose-head prop Dylan Smith (21) starts ahead of the more-seasoned Ruan Dreyer and Jacques van Rooyen, while in the backs, former SA Schools and two-time South Africa Under-20 centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg (22) will don the No13 jersey.
Ackermann said he was looking forward to seeing the 2013 and 2014 Junior Bok make his first start in a Lions jersey.
“Rohan struggled with a groin strain when he joined us last year, but trained hard during the Vodacom Cup and is now part of our plans.
“He’s got the pedigree and potential and Western Province will be a great challenge for him,” said Ackermann about the former Hoërskool Waterkloof pupil.
Smith, a former Lions U-21 captain who matriculated at King Edward School, made his debut from the bench last weekend in Bloemfontein and big things are expected of him, too.
“A number of players have come through our Under-21 structure and credit to (coach) Russell Winter and his team there ... they’ve played a big hand in the development of a number of our younger players,” said Ackermann.
With Lions wing Ruan Combrinck out for the season because of a knee injury, Anthony Volmink gets another start, while prop Julian Redelinghuys is back in the run-on side, too, after taking a breather on the bench last weekend.
Ackermann said Western Province would pose a big threat to his side on Friday evening.
“Juan coming back in gives them more stability than they’ve had recently, while coach John Dobson has backed some youngsters too who’ve done well for him.
“They’ve tried a few new things under the new coach, but they remain a team who do the basics well ... their set-pieces are good and their defence remains strong and formidable.
“We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us.
The Lions go into the penultimate match of the round-robin stage with a nine-point lead over the Bulls and Province.
“This match is a massive challenge ... playing against the in-form and unbeaten Lions at altitude ... it doesn’t get any tougher,” said Dobson.
“We’re very happy to have Juan back.”
“I’m very excited to be back, it’s been a heavy six weeks,” said De Jongh, who has been working his way back from knee ligament damage suffered during WP’s round-two win against the Free State Cheetahs on August 15.
“When I got the injury, the specialist said I might not play again this season, so I’m excited to finish what I started.”
In other changes to the Province team that comfortably dispatched the Pumas last weekend, Nic Groom is back at scrumhalf, Chris Cloete returns at flank, Jean Kleyn is back in the second row and Steven Kitshoff joins the front row.
There are several further changes on the bench.
The match on Friday kicks off at 6pm.
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Howard Mnisi, Anthony Volmink, Marnitz Boshoff, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley, Step de Wit, Jaco Kriel (capt), Franco Mostert, Lourens Erasmus, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith. Replacements: Mark Pretorius, Ruan Dreyer, Fabian Booysen, Kwagga Smith, Jaco van der Walt, Stokkies Hanekom, Sampie Mastriet
WP: Cheslin Kolbe/Dillyn Leyds, Dillyn Leyds/Kobus van Wyk, Johnny Kotze, Juan de Jongh (capt), Seabelo Senatla, Robert du Preez, Nic Groom, Nizaam Carr, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Chris Cloete, Ruan Botha, Jean Kleyn, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Michael Willemse, Oli Kebble, Chris van Zyl, Jurie van Vuuren, Godlen Masimla, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones. - The Star