Surprise No 10 for Lions

16 Aug 2006

In the absence of Andre Pretorius, Jaco van Schalkwyk will play flyhalf for the Lions against the Sharks on Saturday.

In confirming his Absa Currie Cup match 22, coach Eugene Eloff has made four changes to the team that shocked the Bulls. Three of the changes were enforced because of injury or Bok call-ups. The most notable is the moving of Van Schalkwyk from outside centre to flyhalf where he will be partnered by Ricky Januarie, who was released by the Springboks yesterday.

Januarie replaces the injured Jano Vermaak, who has mild concussion. The other changes see Bok Sevens skipper Jaco Pretorius play outside centre and Cobus Grobbelaar replacing flank Roland Bernard.

“I remember Jaco playing for Western Province U21 when I was Lions U21 coach and I was impressed then,” said Eloff. “He is very elusive and is a big guy so can take the ball up for us. He also has a good boot on him. I think he will cope just fine.”

Eloff added it would have been ideal to have Pretorius available, but that he was confident Van Schalkwyk would cope.

“I would have liked to be able to play Andre, obviously, but he is tied up with the Boks unfortunately. I feel Jaco will fill his boots well.”

The Lions looked sharp at Wednesday morning’s training session at the Joburg Stadium and Van Schalkwyk looked comfortable playing flyhalf.

“The Bulls play to a certain pattern, but the Sharks are unpredictable and we have to be ready for everything they will throw at us,” said Eloff.

Lions team to play the Sharks: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Wylie Human, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Louis Ludik, 10 Jaco van Schalkwyk, 9 Ricky Januarie; 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Anton van Zyl, 4 Cobus Grobler, 3 Bertus Smit, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 James van der Walt, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Roland Bernard, 20 Nic Eyre, 21 Grant Esterhuizen, 22 Mark Harris.

By Andrew Hollely


44 Comments

  • 1.eloise: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 13:46 pm

    WEEEEEEEEEEPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

  • 2.lionking: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 13:46 pm

    1st

  • 3.eloise: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 13:47 pm

    “The Bulls play a certain pattern” STAMP RUGBY!!

  • 4.lionking: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 13:47 pm

    Dam Eloise

    is daar nie iewers storie oor Luke wat jy moet lees nie?

  • 5.all boks: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 13:49 pm

    sonder Andre gaan die lions weer sukkel….hy gee rigting aan daai rigtingloose span…

  • 6.David: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 13:50 pm

    How did WP lose this guy when they were so short of flyhalves?
    We seem to be supplying half the bloody country with them.

  • 7.eloise: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 13:56 pm

    David hoe nou

  • 8.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:08 pm

    Aaah, clever heading Andrew.
    Cats certainly have no #10.

  • 9.RedCard formerly known as Redcard: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:08 pm

    Lees bietjie die artikel vir ‘n verandering…

  • 10.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:09 pm

    Doh, you know I meant “Lions” of course ;)

  • 11.EAF: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:09 pm

    Sharks to klap Lions by 15 (maybe more…)

  • 12.eloise: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:11 pm

    Shark & Lions to draw..Weepee to gain more points at the top..of the food chain!!

  • 13.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:11 pm

    I think the Sharks will have a little too much for the Lions with weekend.

  • 14.RedCard formerly known as Redcard: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:14 pm

    Stephen, perhaps you are right, but I wouldn’t discard the Lions just yet…

  • 15.katman: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:16 pm

    Even without Andre, this is a very exciting Lions backline. Who will the Shoks have at 10? Barrit? Steyn? Neither of them have displayed any skills recently that van Schalkwyk hasn’t matched. So flap your little pectoral fins all you want, little guppies. You’re allready caught in the gillnet and you don’t even know it.

  • 16.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:16 pm

    Is it true that the Lions wont play in the s14 next year?

  • 17.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:17 pm

    Yes Redcard; Lions seem to have that old addage of “momentum” going into this round with Sharks… so this makes it tough to call. But personally I think with the Sharks backline flair, and forward mongrol, and lest not forget, Sharks have come off from a bye; Sharks will have that x-factor which will see them through in the end.

  • 18.RedCard formerly known as Redcard: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:20 pm

    Fair comment. All I can say is

    Lions to win the CC!!!!

  • 19.Martin: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:22 pm

    i don’t mind who wins. wp will beat anybody in the final.

  • 20.McPhisto: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:24 pm

    Jaco is a good 10. He played a lot of his rugga at 10 and i always thought that 10 is his best position.

    Will have to see how things go on Saterday for him.

  • 21.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:24 pm

    Isn’t it all too exciting now that the Lions fans are talking it up again with the inherent belief that their side won’t lie on their back for a tummy tickle anymore. This is good for the Curry Cup and overall strength of the comp.

    So that’s Cheetahs, BBulls, Sharks, WeePee, and now Lions who are playing at a higher level.

  • 22.StephenB: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:27 pm

    This game will be won from players coming off the bench. Sharks have too much depth and too much self believe.

  • 23.Pekkie: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:27 pm

    I would be suprised if this team takes the field! Loffie may be attempting to pull a **** / Rassie and stil start with Earl Daisy at 10 and Jaco at 15. I expect the same switch from the Sharks with Steyn starting at 10 and Baritt shifting to 12 with Strauss droppipng to the bench. Sharks, firing on all cylinders could produce a cricket score here! Reckon Sharks by 12 though!

  • 24.RedCard formerly known as Redcard: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:28 pm

    Yes Martin, wp cant even win a home semi, thats why none of us are really concerned that they top the log.

    If the end 1st on the log the chances are good that position 2 or 3 will get the home final, because 4 on the log will most definately take the win at Newlands.

  • 25.EAF: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:30 pm

    #18 what are you on???? get help

    #19 you’re beyond help

  • 26.Martin: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:33 pm

    #25 -you’re a moron

  • 27.tomcat: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:34 pm

    guppies to kick the pussies arses this weekend,with a smile on their faces.

  • 28.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:35 pm

    #26

    Your moron too!

  • 29.EAF: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:38 pm

    #26 maybe… but doesn’t change your situation..

  • 30.Martin: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:44 pm

    #28 – wp15 – bulls 10

  • 31.Martin: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:45 pm

    #29 – just the way i like it :lol:

  • 32.suparugby: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:46 pm

    #30 uncalled for!

    75 – 14

  • 33.Martin: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:47 pm

    #32 – could’nt resist.:evil:

  • 34.wp faithful: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:51 pm

    supa
    #32
    why u still clinging to past, oh, sorry, only silver line in darkness…

  • 35.wp faithful: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 14:52 pm

    supa
    15 -10

    37 – 29

    19 -17

    he he

  • 36.EAF: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 15:14 pm

    your’re all wrong!!! Valke to win CC
    lol

  • 37.BobZimmerman: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 15:43 pm

    I wonder if the Shark supporters will outnumber the home suppoters ala the Super 14.

  • 38.canafunk: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 16:14 pm

    Sounds interresting!!

  • 39.Vinnie: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 17:22 pm

    Jaco and Rose… how much worse can it get for egoli boys?

  • 40.katman: Reply to this comment
    16 Aug 2006, 19:07 pm

    Vinnie, have you seen Jaco play at all this season? Or is this just another shout in the dark?

  • 41.pompies: Reply to this comment
    17 Aug 2006, 02:58 am

    Just as good as it gets to beating the bulls lol.

  • 42.GCC: Reply to this comment
    17 Aug 2006, 05:44 am

    i think jaco has the skills to play at 12. always enjoyed his games for the cheetahs at fullback.

  • 43.Pekkie: Reply to this comment
    17 Aug 2006, 07:33 am

    I see the Lions supporters are very quiet on this thread!!!! You bunch have been talking the Lions uo all over the place on other threads but now it’s on the down low on your own thread! Typical! I refer back to my previous post #23, I expect a few suprises when the teams take the field. I still say Sharks by 12!!!

  • 44.walter: Reply to this comment
    17 Aug 2006, 08:42 am

    Pekkie, Loffie hasn’t played mind games with team anouncements before, why would he start now?

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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