So, what were you expecting? drastic changes?
That would seem to have been absolutely superfluous in the eyes of Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen, who on Friday announced his matchday 23 for the Lions’ United Rugby Championship match against Cardiff.
It is nice to have trust in your team, and it is even better to have momentum to build off of that good feeling. Despite the close margin of victory (28-27), Van Rooyen would undoubtedly have been satisfied with his team’s performance against the Ospreys last week, and it was evident in his choices on Wednesday.
Since Sanele Nohamba, who was the man of the match against the Ospreys, and Gianni Lombard were rewarded for their prior efforts to keep their starting positions at scrumhalf and flyhalf, respectively, the biggest question—that of the half-back pairing—has been definitively answered for this weekend’s match.
Although it has showed potential, this youthful combo will still make mistakes in upcoming games. Therefore, it is crucial that they spend as much playing time together as possible if they are the team’s favourite partnership this season.
While everything is going on, Jordan Hendrikse will continue to come off the bench and will be hoping for some action against Cardiff after keeping the stands warm for the whole previous game.
The squad has therefore prevailed because of consistency, and Van Rooyen & Co. now hopes that they can build on that positive energy. Only two changes have been made to the starting XV overall by the Lions coach.
Henco van Wyk, who previously started at outside center, will team up with Marius Louw, who now seems to be the No. 12 player, in the midfield. Last week’s starting outside linebacker Louw, Zander du Plessis, moves to the bench in order to contribute later in the game.
Pieter Jansen van Vuren will start at lock up front for the first time this year, partnering with captain Reinhard Nothnagel. Before his season was tragically cut short by injury, there was a lot of enthusiasm around Jansen Van Vuren’s transfer to the union. If he instantly catches his stride, his joining the club might be a significant development for the next season.
Ruan Venter, an interesting potential, returns to the matchday lineup as the only other alteration after missing last weekend’s game against the Ospreys due to a minor ailment.
Cardiff will be a challenge since they have won their first two games, defeating Edinburgh 54-24 and Munster 20-13, respectively, in the URC.
The game will begin at 8:35 p.m.
Starting XV for the Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, Edwill van der Merwe (14), Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw, and 12 Quan Horn, 11 Gianni Lombard 10, Sanele Nohamba 9, Francke Horn, 8 Tshituka, Emmanuel Sangweni Sibusiso, Nothnagel, Reinhard 5 (capt) Pieter Jansen van Vuren, no. 4 3 Sti Sithole, 2 PJ Botha, and 1 Ruan Dreyer
16 Jaco Visagie, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Venter, 20 Ruhan Straeuli, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, and 23 Zander du Plessis are the replacements.