STRUGGLING LIONS CALL IN BIG GUNS
IN dire need of inspiration‚ the Lions have called on some of their Super Rugby regulars to help restore a Currie Cup campaign teetering on the brink.
Regular loosehead prop Jacques van Rooyen has been called up as tighthead and as captain‚ in the absence of Ruan Dreyer, who was called up to the Bok squad earlier this week.
Ryan Kankowski, who was the stand-in captain in recent weeks, is out with a groin injury.
In the second row, Andries Ferreira will bring more grunt‚ while in-form centre Harold Vorster gets to wear the No 13 jersey next to Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
Kankowski makes way for Fabian Booysen, who moves to No 8 from flank.
Kankowski is not the only casualty from last week. Scrumhalf Dillon Smit‚ who provided much of their first half spark on Saturday‚ faces a lengthy lay-off with a broken ankle.
The rangy Marco Jansen van Vuuren comes in for Smit.
Utility forward Robert Kruger, who is struggling with bronchitis‚ has been earmarked to do duty on the side of the scrum.
At the start of the week, the Lions perhaps anticipated more changes but they will have hooker Robbie Coetzee and Janse van Rensburg available for the clash.
Coetzee kicked Jacques Vermeulen in the face when the Sharks flanker crossed for a try last weekend and was red-carded for the indiscretion.
A disciplinary hearing‚ however‚ found that his actions were not deliberate and no further sanction was imposed.
Coetzee was perhaps fortunate to escape further punishment. He was red-carded earlier this season in Super Rugby when the Lions beat the Kings at Ellis Park.
A potentially dangerous tackle from Janse van Rensburg came under the microscope but no further action was deemed necessary.
Although coach Swys de Bruin has bolstered his squad, his options are limited after losing seven players to national duty.
The Lions have some catching up to do following their defeat to the Sharks.
It was their third of the campaign following setbacks in Nelspruit and Pretoria.
The Lions are second last in the seven-team Currie Cup‚ just two points behind Western Province.