Minnie returns to drive Lions' pack
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:19
Big game hunter: Lions flank Derick Minnie
Lions coach John Mitchell has brought star flank Derick Minnie into the starting line-up for the important Currie Cup match against Western Province in Johannesburg on Friday.
Two of last week's stars in the win over the Leopards, lock Johan Snyman and flank Renaldo Bothma, will have to show their wares from the bench.
They are, respectively, replaced by George Earle, who was rested last weekend and Derick Minnie who had an injury niggle. Both the men back into the starting line-up have been regular starters for the Lions in the tournament.
Centre Marius Delport returns to the matchday 22, taking up a spot on the bench in place of Pieter Engelbrecht.
The Lions are still without several of their first team stars - Deon van Rensburg, David Bulbring, Tonderai Chavhanga, Kevin Buys, Trevor Hall and Wandile Mjekevu are all currently on the injured list.
Of course, the Lions host Western Province after winning their last three matches to put themselves within striking distance of the top five teams on the Currie Cup log. They are only three points behind the fifth-placed Griquas and four adrift of the Blue Bulls and Free State Cheetahs.
Western Province, on the other hand, have lost their last two matches after winning the first six and will hope to avoid a third consecutive loss in the competition.
Mitchell warned that the Lions' real test would be in the coming weeks when they face Province, Sharks and Griquas at home in matches they must win to put pressure on the top sides. They also play the Pumas at home in what could be a difficult match. The Free State Cheetahs and the Blue Bulls are away matches.
Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Jannie Boshoff, 13 Waylon Murray, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco van der Merwe (captain), 4 George Earle, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2
Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Wayne Swart, 18 George Earle, 19 Derick Minnie, 20 JP Joubert, 21 Burton Francis, 22 Marius Delport.
Date: Friday, September 3
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19:10
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Assistant referees: Archie Sehlako, Luke Burger
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee
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