Lions, Leopards lick their wounds

Barry Glasspool|Published 25 years ago

Medical roll calls for both Lions and Leopards squads were Thursday evening's major activities as they contemplated worrying, lengthy injury lists even before they get to grips in their Vodacom Cup clash.

Jaco Booysen (wing) failed a fitness test and flyhalf Johnny Wearne may also be ruled out as a replacement.

Saturday's Ellis Park fixture would suggest that the Lions will sustain the jungle pecking order over their comparatively less voracious visitors but the nature of both camps' injuries could still have a major influence in the outcome as the Lions seek a full-house five points

NW Leopards coach James Stoffberg is waiting until the last minute before ruling out a key forward like Casper Oosthuizen. He is already minus prop Hannes Human, sidelined by a shoulder injury which will be assessed on Friday by a Pretoria specialist.

So Stoffberg is in no hurry to make up his mind about the other players because captain and hooker Basil de Coning is also doubtful.

Likewise, Lions coach Hugo van As gave both Booysen and Wearne plenty of time to prove their match fitness before the deadline.

At Brakpan's Bosman Stadium, Falcons tackle Blue Bulls in a fixture which has a bearing on the top places in the northern section.

Teams

Lions: Gielie de Swardt, Rynhard Scholtz, Sax Chirwa, Kaya Malotana, George Makwena; Gareth Wright, Johnny Wearne, Brett Johnstone; Russell Winter, Eric van der Merwe, Walter Minnaar, Hannes Strydom, Francois du Toit, Nic Moore, James Dalton, Pietman van Niekerk. Bench: Eugene Marx/Johnny Wearne, Gordon Frasca, Grant Bartle, Terrence Stewart, Stuart Landman, Michael Loubscher and Kapstok van Greuning.

Leopards (from): AJ de Jager, Basil de Coning (c), Bertus Pool, Bloues Volschenk, Brian Christians, Casper Oosthuizen, Diaan Kruger, Eben Verster, Hennie Pieterse, Ian Noble, Johann Smith, Julian Ruiters, Keith Meyer, Len van Riet, Nico van Rensburg, Roland de Marigny, Rudi Muller,, Sampie Hendriks, Sollie Goosen, Tenk Hendriks, Werner Lessing, Willem Stoltz and Wimpie Jonker.