Lions

S14 Preview: Lions

Sunday, February 07 SARugby.com brings you our eagerly anticipated Super 14 team previews. As the build-up to the 2010 season reaches a climax, we'll be bringing you all you need to know about the 14 teams including squad news, players to watch and fixture lists.

Team name: Lions

The Lions are in a rebuilding phase following the controversial axing of coach Loffie Eloff and mass player exodus last year. New Director of Rugby Dick Muir is the current Springbok assistant coach and the perfect candidate to guide the struggling franchise back up the ladder, but does he have the necessary depth to pull it off?

Time is not on Muir’s side as it is possible that the lowest finishing South African side will make way for the Southern Kings in next year’s expanded Super 15 competition. The Johannesburg-based franchise has lost two key players in Springboks Andre Pretorius and Jaque Fourie as well as exciting prospects Willem Alberts and Louis Ludik (although Alberts is still involved in a contractual dispute).

Muir has reeled in former All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer to fill the boots of Pretorius and has made other quality acquisitions which amongst other includes Griquas duo Jacques Lombaard and Jonathan Mokuena, Bulls pair Burton Francis and Marius Delport and Stormers wing Tonderai Chavhanga.

Crucially, the Lions will be without their key player Jano Vermaak for the opening rounds with the ace scrumhalf nursing an ankle injury. That doesn’t bode well for the men in red who have a nightmare draw this year.

They host the Stormers and last year’s finalist the Chiefs in the first two weeks before they embark of a five-match Australasian tour from hell which will see them play the Hurricanes, Brumbies, Waratahs, Crusaders and Highlanders. Unfortunately, by the time they return for their bye in week eight, their goose will be cooked.

It hurts us to say it, but we’re afraid the Lions will finish the 2010 season as wooden spooners.

City: Johannesburg

Country: South Africa

Home ground: Coca Cola Park

Coach: Dick Muir. Who better to lead the resurrection of Lions rugby than former Sharks player and coach and current Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir, who has signed a three-year deal as Director of Rugby.

Captain: Despite rumours that new coach Dick Muir will look to replace Cobus Grobbelaar as captain, the underrated fetcher has been retained as skipper. Grobbelaar embodies the fighting spirit of the Lions and is a key cog in the red and white machine.

Players in: Hanyani Shimange, Jacques Lombaard, George Earl, Thabo Mamojele, Jonathan Mokuena, Carlos Spencer, Burton Francis, Deon Van Rensburg, Marius Delport, Tonderai Chavhanga.

Players out: Ethienne Reynecke, Willie Wepener, Dewald Senekal, Gerhard Mostert, Ernst Joubert, Willem Alberts, JP Joubert, Andre Pretorius, Jaque Fourie, Louis Ludik.

Key Player: Jano Vermaak

One to watch: Jacques Lombaard

Best signing: Carlos Spencer

Biggest loss: Jaque Fourie

2009 Finish: 12th

2010 Prediction: 14th

Provisional Squad: Earl Lewis, Marius Delport, Alwyn Hollenbach, Walter Venter, Trompie Nontshinga, Herkie Kruger, Alex Kock, Todd Clever, Thabo Mamojele, Johan van Deventer, Willem Stoltz, George Earl, Ross Geldenhuys, Hanyani Shimange, JC Janse van Rensburg, Hans van Dyk, Gert Muller, David Bulbring, Robert Kruger, Ruan Boshoff, Jannie Boshoff, Justin St Jerry, Pieter Engelbrecht, Henno Mentz, Shandre Frolick, Rouan Cloete, Michael Killian, Dusty Noble, Deon Van Rensburg, Doppies la Grange, Wandile Mjekevu, Carlos Spencer, Chris Jonck, Jonathan Mokuena, Franco van der Merwe, Cobus Grobbelaar, Nico Luus, Jannes Labuschagne, Kevin Buys, Hannes Franklin, Heinke van der Merwe, Charles Enslie, Lawrence Sephaka, Jacques Lombaard, Derrick Minnie, JP Joubert, Burton Francis, Wigan Pekeur, Tonderai Chavhanga, Earl Rose, Danie Crous.

Fixtures:

Saturday, February 13: v Stormers, home
Friday, February 19: v Cheetahs, home
Saturday, February 27: v Hurricanes, away
Friday, March 5: v Brumbies, away
Friday, March 12: v Waratahs, away
Saturday, March 20: v Crusaders, away
Friday, March 26: v Highlanders, away
Saturday, April 10: v Reds, home
Saturday, April 17: v Sharks, home
Saturday, April 24: v Bulls, away
Saturday, May 1: v Western Force, home
Saturday, May 8: v Blues, home
Saturday, May 15: v Cheetahs, away

• S14 Preview: Lions
• Login/Create an Account
• 5 comments

• Threshold
• -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Nested Flat Thread Oldest First Newest First Highest Scores First
• 

• The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.

Username
Password

Lions | More by Quintin van Jaarsveld

• > Muir rotates his Lions
• > One change for Lions
• > Muir picks Lions touring squad
• > Two changes for Lions
• > Muir springs surprises

12 Mar 10	Waratahs
20 Mar 10	Crusaders
26 Mar 10	Highlanders
10 Apr 10	Reds
17 Apr 10	Sharks