If ever JC Pretorius wanted to state his case for a more regular starting berth for the Lions, tomorrow’s EPCR Challenge Cup clash against the Ospreys (5.15pm start) is the time to do it.
The match has now been moved to the Scarlets’ ground in Llanelli due to “structural damages at the Swansea.com Stadium caused by Storm Darragh”, the organisers said in a statement.
Former Blitzboks star Pretorius has been a revelation in the 15-man code over the last few seasons, but has had to bide his time in the current United Rugby Championship.
Lions boss Ivan van Zyl has rewarded Jarod Cairns for a number of impressive cameos with more starts, with Pretorius providing impetus off the bench in the same vein as Kwagga Smith does for the Springboks.
But the 26-year-old would be careful not to be boxed in as just a ‘bench player’, as Smith has been by many rugby observers.
Pretorius, in fact, was a Springbok contender last season as well, and needs to feature more regularly for the Johannesburg side to get closer to national selection once more.
So, a typically energetic display – where he contests the breakdowns, gets the Lions onto the front foot with ball-in-hand, and is busy on defence – in Swansea tomorrow could do wonders for that goal, especially as the Ospreys have selected a strong team, including outstanding Wales loose forward Jac Morgan as their captain.
Van Rooyen, though, has gone the other way, giving a number of second-stringers an opportunity to prove their worth, having sent most of his first-choice side home to prepare for next week’s clash against Pau at Ellis Park following last weekend’s 17-10 URC loss to Munster in Limerick.
That doesn’t mean that the Lions should feel overwhelmed in taking on the Ospreys, as they will still field a formidable line-up.
The back-three of Tapiwa Mafura, Richard Kriel and Rabz Maxwane possess serious pace and good skills under the high ball, while centres Rynhardt Jonker and Erich Cronjé have proved that they can run good lines on attack as well.
But the biggest challenge for the visitors will be whether new halfbacks, Sam Francis and Nico Steyn – who will also take over the captaincy from Marius Louw – will be able to call the shots on attack against seasoned Ospreys duo Owen Williams and Kieran Hardy.
Francis has shown that he is an ace goal-kicker during the Currie Cup, and his big boot will be valuable to dictate the tactical kicking battle in what is expected to be wet and windy conditions.
Similarly, skipper Steyn has an educated boot that he has showcased for the Junior Springboks and Lions senior team previously.
Steyn’s ability to operate at flyhalf as well could see him dovetail with Francis to drive the Lions forward, while also bringing their big ball-carries in the pack into the game.
🗣Comments from coach Julian ahead of our @ChallengeCup_ opener against Ospreys this Sunday in Swansea.#ForOurCity#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/uLX65pc1XT
Experienced lock Darrien Landsberg will lead the way in the lineouts in his comeback from injury, while former Bulls loose forward WJ Steenkamp gets an opportunity to provide real go-forward in his preferred No 8 position.
The front row of Morgan Naudé, Franco Marais and Conrad van Vuuren would have nothing to fear from the Ospreys pack, but they need to gain the necessary dominance in the scrums to set a proper platform for the backs to shine.
There is considerable firepower on the bench too, with Sanele Nohamba and Marius Louw the two backs, with the six forwards sure to be called on in the expected tough conditions in the second half.
Lions Team
15 Tapiwa Mafura 14 Richard Kriel 13 Erich Cronjé 12 Rynhardt Jonker 11 Rabz Maxwane 10 Sam Francis 9 Nico Steyn (captain) 8 WJ Steenkamp 7 Izan Esterhuizen 6 JC Pretorius 5 Darrien Landsberg 4 Etienne Oosthuizen 3 Conrad van Vuuren 2 Franco Marais 1 Morgan Naudé.
Bench: 16 Jaco Visagie 17 SJ Kotze 18 RF Schoeman 19 Ruan Delport 20 Renzo du Plessis 21 Ruhan Straeuli 22 Sanele Nohamba 23 Marius Louw.