Photo Credit: Speedshots.co.za
Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies will lead an experienced Lions team when they host the Cell C Sharks in their second home game in the 2021 Kick-off Pools series in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The Lions is unbeaten in the Preparation Series after a good 54-25 win against Eastern Province and a 32-28 at home. The Lions allowed several youngsters to showcase their talents.
The Sharks lost against the Cheetahs (38-39) two weeks ago in Bloemfontein. Their first game resulted in a win with 35-10 in Durban.
Expect a fast-paced game with the Sharks that will maybe have the edge at the back. The Sharks have also loaded their bench with Dylan Richardson a "surprise" at hooker.
The battle up front will provide plenty of sparks. The Lions should dominate come scrum time, however, expect a shift when the replacements take the field. This could prove the difference between winning and losing in the last 20 minutes of the game.
Although the Lions is my team, I have to make the Sharks the favourite as their bench have the x-factor which the Lions' lacks.
The Lions backline has a familiar look to it with Tiaan Swanepoel reverting to fullback, while Wandisile Simelane and Burger Odendaal will lead the charge in the midfield, with Jantjies calling the shots from the pivot position.
Youngster Ngia Selengbe, meanwhile, earns a start on the right-wing after his eye-catching performance in the win against Eastern Province.
Up front, Willem Alberts (lock), Ruan Dreyer and Carlü Sadie (props) are among a few players returning to action.
On the replacements bench flyhalf Fred Zeilinga will try to impress in what marks his trial spell in Johannesburg after having represented the Cell C Sharks and Toyota Cheetahs between 2011 and 2018, and more recently Japanese club, the Canon Eagles.
The Cell C Sharks have made six changes to their backline, which sees the welcome return of Springbok midfielder and regular captain Lukhanyo Am and a few changes up front.
Coach Sean Everitt only retained fullback Aphelele Fassi from last week's visit to Bloemfontein, while he handed Rynhardt Jonker a starting berth at inside centre, with the former SA Schools player making a second appearance in the black and white jersey after making his debut for the Sharks XV in the 2019 SuperSport Challenge.
Boeta Chamberlain replaces Jordan Chait at flyhalf with Sanele Nohamba returning at scrumhalf. Experienced flyhalf Curwin Bosch will provide cover on the bench in his return to action.
Werner Kok and Yaw Penxe, meanwhile, take over from Thaakir Abrahams and Anthony Volmink on the wing, with the duo dropping out of the match-day squad altogether.
Up front Le Roux Roets and Reniel Hugo will lock the scrum with support from a new back row consisting of Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Mpilo Gumede and Henco Venter.
The front row also see some changes.
John-Hubert Meyer holds onto the No 3 jersey, while Dan Jooste (hooker) and Mzamo Majola (prop) will start in place of Kerron van Vuuren and Khwezi Mona respectively.
Bosch is not the only returning Bok on the bench as Thomas du Toit (prop) is also expected to get some game time.
Marius Louw also continues his return to play following an injury, taking his place on the replacements bench for the first time this season.
Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Ngia Selengbe, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 André Warner, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 Jan-Henning Campher, 1 Ruan Dreyer. Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Ross Cronjé, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Dan Kriel.
Cell C Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Werner Kok, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Rynhard Jonker, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Boeta Chamberlain, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Mpilo Gumede, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Le Roux Roets, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Dan Jooste, 1 Mzamo Majola. Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Marius Louw.