JOHANNESBURG – Gamble or not? That is the big question about Johan Ackermann’s team selection for Saturday’s Super Rugby match against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Ackermann may have taken an almost full-strength squad to South America for the round three match, but he has still opted to play a weakened side, as he did at the back end of last season when a second-choice Lions team lost to the Jaguares in their final pool game and gave up the chance of finishing top of the overall points table.
The Lions were forced to travel to New Zealand to take on the Hurricanes in the final, a match they also lost.
While it is still early in the season and plenty can still happen, Ackermann has nevertheless decided to rest several first choice players for the match. While Rohan Janse van Rensburg wasn’t available, Elton Jantjies, Lionel Mapoe and Franco Mostert all stayed at home and the coach has now made nine changes to the team that beat the Waratahs last Saturday.
In the biggest surprise, young Shaun Reynolds will play at flyhalf, while on the wing Anthony Volmink comes in for Mapoe and at fullback Jaco van der Walt will get a chance to show what he can do. In the centres Jacques Nel joins Harold Vorster.
Then, in the forwards, there are also significant changes. Captain Warren Whiteley has been joined by Cyle Brink and Kwagga Smith and in the second row Marvin Orie, an out-of-season recruit from the Bulls, will make his debut at No 5.
In the front row Dylan Smith starts again after coming back from injury and playing off the bench last weekend, while new acquisition from the Border Bulldogs, Johannes Jonker, will pack down at tighthead prop.
The match on Saturday kicks off at 9.40pm (SA time).
Lions:
Jaco van der Walt, Courtnall Skosan, Jacques Nel, Harold Vorster, Anthony Volmink, Shaun Reynolds, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (capt), Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Andries Ferreira, Johannes Jonker, Robbie Coetzee, Dylan Smith. Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Dreyer, Lourens Erasmus, Jaco Kriel, Faf de Klerk, Andries Coetzee, Sylvian Mahuza ends