Fourie at front of Lions' hunt
Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:37
World Cup winning centre Jaque Fourie will make his first start of the Currie Cup season against the Griquas on Saturday, after a lengthy injury period.
Fourie will start at outside centre, having fully recovered from the elbow injury which has had him sidelined for a number of weeks. This injury marred the World Cup star's fitness shortly after an aggravating groin injury forced him out of the majority of the Super 14 season.
Conscious of the threat posed by the Griquas, Lions head coach Eugene Eloff has named a strong side to travel to Kimberley.
The Lions have worked their way back into the top four following two decisive victories in the past fortnight, and will do everything in their power to avoid a repeat of Western Province's fate from last weekend.
Many a team have come down to earth with a bump on the hard fields of the old diamond-mining town, as Griquas have proved to be giant-killers over the years.
A game on Absa Park is never easy, nor should victory be taken for granted.
Lions coach Eugene Eloff has highlighted the importance of maintaining composure against such an unpredictable outfit in their own backyard.
"I thought the team [Lions] kept composure well against Boland," Eloff told lionsrugby.co.za.
"We will however not make a mistake and underestimate them [Griquas] in the diamond city and we will be well prepared for that match."
In changes from last week, Jaque Fourie starts at outside centre after being phased in off the bench, while wing Jannie Boshoff will make way for Jaco Pretorius who started at outside centre against Boland.
Gerhard Mostert is back at lock in the only other change, while Tshepo Kokoali makes a welcome return to domestic rugby, taking up a spot on the bench.
With the inclusion of Springboks Jaque Fourie and Jaco Pretorius, the backline certainly has an air of potency, while the
forwards will look to match the physicality of the home side in the tight and set-phases.
Lions: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Jaco Pretorius, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Louis Ludik, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Dewald Senekal, 3 Lawrence Sephaka, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Alten Hulme, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Jaco van Schalkwyk, 22 Tshepo Kokoali.
Date: Saturday, July 19
Venue: Absa Park, Kimberley
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Christie du Preez
Touch judges: Lourens van der Merwe, Marc van Zyl
TMO: Johann Meuwesen
Assessor: Neville Heilbron
