With matches against the Kings and Jaguares to come after this weekend, a win against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday could just about secure top spot in Africa Conference 2 for the Lions. Johan Ackermann’s men, with nine wins from 12 matches so far, will start as favourites, but the coach has plenty to mull over in the next day or two, writes Jacques van der Westhuyzen
What to do with the halfbacks?
The last time the Lions were in action Marnitz Boshoff was at flyhalf, filling in for the injured Elton Jantjies, and they won 56-20. Jantjies though was in top form before the hand injury and should be back in the No 10, but he’s also played a lot of rugby for the Springboks in the last month. The same goes for Faf de Klerk, who virtually played every minute of the three-Test series against Ireland and it would not be a surprise if Ackermann opted to start with Ross Cronje on Saturday.
What About the skipper?
Captain Warren Whiteley is set to miss the rest of the competition with a shoulder injury, robbing the team of not only their inspirational captain but a fantastic No 8 as well. Whiteley has been the heartbeat of the team and will be sorely missed. Jaco Kriel will captain the side, but it’s anyone’s guess who’ll slot in at eighthman.
And then there are the other Boks
Lionel Mapoe started in all three Tests and while he may be a little tired after a mentally draining few weeks, he’s not likely to be out on his feet. After a rather anonymous Test series showing, he’ll be desperate to get a good run again in an environment he’s familiar with and should be back in the run-on side. Julian Redelinghuys, Franco Mostert, Jaco Kriel and Ruan Combrinck should all be fresh after playing mainly off the bench.
All out now
Enjoying a fairly handy lead at the top of the conference the Lions can just about book their home quarter-final spot on Saturday should they get the better of the Sharks - and Ackermann will no doubt be keen to get the job done now. A victory would put the Lions 11 points clear of the Sharks allowing the coach to possibly rest his Boks for the matches against the Kings and Jaguares; this one in particular as it is away in Buenos Aires, if he so chooses.
What about momentum?
Ackermann’s biggest worry right now though will be whether his team will kick on from where they left off a month ago. The Lions ended May with three straight wins against the Blues (43-5), Jaguares (52-24) and Bulls (56-20) and had climbed to second overall among the 18 teams in the competition. But there will be a little concern the international break will have broken the team’s rhythm and momentum, especially with many of the players having had to adjust to a new playing pattern with the Boks in the last few weeks.
Also, so many choices
Besides all the Bok players Ackermann has to factor into his selections this week, he also has to think about other stalwarts of recent times, who may or may not come into the reckoning. At fullback, Andries Coetzee is available again, but Sylvian Mahuza shone last time out against the Bulls, while at inside centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg was sensational against the Bulls, too, but Howard Mnisi may be the preferred option. Then there’s lock; Mostert will start for sure, but who’ll join him - Andries Ferreira or Lourens Erasmus? - The Star