Cronje Gets Lions Start

 May 02,2012

Written by: Robert Lemmer

Three players will get their first starts for the Lions in the Super Rugby match against the log-leading Chiefs in Pukekohe on Saturday.

At scrumhalf, Ross Cronje replaces Tian Meyer, who moves to the bench, while there are also two changes in the pack.

Former Maties lock/flank Grant Hattingh, who impressed when he came on as a replacement lock against the Brumbies for his first taste of Super Rugby last weekend, starts on the flank in place of Cobus Grobbelaar. The latter moves to the bench.

Hattingh will be at No 7, with Derick Minnie moving back to No 6. Ruan Botha gets his first start at lock in place of Hendrik Roodt, the sixth starting combination in nine matches at lock this season where Franco van der Merwe has been the only constant.

Also of note is the selection of fit-again CJ van der Linde on the bench where Jaco Kriel, who impressed for the UJ Varsity Cup side, could get a first taste of 2012 Super Rugby if he is called on to play. Loosehead prop Caylib Oosthuizen is bracketed with JC Janse van Rensburg.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Jaco Taute, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Lionel Mapoe, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen/JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Cobus Grobbelaar, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 James Kamana, 22 Michael Killian.


 

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