Joubert returns for Lions

26 Feb 2009

Ernst Joubert has been rushed straight back from injury into the Lions team to take on the Bulls on Saturday.

Joubert hasn’t played one match this year but Loffie Eloff has deemed him fit to start at Ellis Park, with Franco van der Merwe dropping to the bench.

Heinke van der Merwe’s appeal has not been heard and the Lions are holding out until a verdict is reached. If Van der Merwe starts, Lawrence Sephaka will take Gert Muller’s place at tighthead.

If the likely scenario unfolds and Van der Merwe doesn’t play, Sephaka will shift to loosehead and Muller will retain his place.

Andre Pretorius is also bracketed on the bench due to a hamstring niggle, with former Bulls flyhalf Divan Kotze set to win a place on the bench against his former team-mates.

Lions – Louis Ludik, Ashwin Willemse, Jaque Fourie, Doppies la Grange, Henno Mentz, Earl Rose, Jano Vermaak, Willem Alberts, Ernst Joubert, Cobus Grobbelaar (c), Gerhard Mostert, Anton van Zyl, Lawrence Sephaka/Gert Muller, Willie Wepener, Heinke van der Merwe/Lawrence Sephaka.
Subs: Hans van Dyk, Gert Muller/JC Janse van Rensburg, Franco van der Merwe, Todd Clever, Chris Jonck, Andre Pretorius/Divan Kotze, Jannie Boshoff.


26 Comments

  • 1.church - like chch but pronounceable: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 13:45 pm

    Lame dragon

  • 2.coma: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 14:19 pm

    Earl to score 26 points, 2 tries, 2 conversions, 2 penalties, and 2 drop kicks, in a MOM performance.

  • 3.lion4ever: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 14:19 pm

    Pity Loffie can’t place for Franco in the starting line up, but this is a pretty good loosie combo. Just hope Heinke gets cleared in time.

  • 4.lion4ever: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 14:21 pm

    Coma, I hope so

  • 5.The_GENERAL: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 14:28 pm

    #2 coma:
    And give a JP Nel a big hit

  • 6.Biggles: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 14:32 pm

    Not a bad side actually. Now if they could only sort out the 10/12 ‘swinging door’ channel.

  • 7.K9 Pavement-special: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 14:36 pm

    Should play Walter Venter and not Doppies.

  • 8.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 14:43 pm

    Still going to catch it
    Bulls are super confident at hte moment.Spies,Kirchner,Habana,Botha,Rossouw,Du Preez..etc

    Lions will show a lot of grit and heart but will fall short….AGAIN

    Ashwin Willemse apitimises the team and its characteristics.Good but not good enough..wear and tear taken its toll(managment shinanigans)

    Loffie 3yr plan will not come to fruition…not even in the slightest

    Sad truth

  • 9.Katsesnor: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 15:25 pm

    If Heinke is out I don’t not want to watch this match (as a Lions supporter). The Lions have a good record against the Bulls/Blue Bulls so anything is possible (the stats should suggest 50/50) … but Heinke is key to them having a realistic chance this weekend.

    Being a Lions supporter is not for the faint hearted … but good medical cover is strongly recommended even for those with strong pumps.

  • 10.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 15:32 pm

    andre pretorius is on the bench due to a hamstring niggle……..

    now where have i heard this before?

  • 11.Katsesnor: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 15:37 pm

    #10 rangerman: How many full games have AP played for the Lions in his career? If his (full games played/seasons paid) ratio is compared to other players in his pay bracket I think we’ll be shocked. Guys that started long after him at the Lions will be way ahead of him in games played. He’s an injury with a body.

  • 12.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 15:49 pm

    #11 Katsesnor:

    He’s an injury with a body.

    lmao! thats very funny man.

    poor AP, is he actually on contract or is he payed pro rata?

    if it pro rata then i hope he has a little cash saved up.

  • 13.Katsesnor: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 15:57 pm

    #12 rangerman: He’s def not pro rata. He’s a sick man with a healthy contract.

  • 14.Mistral: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 16:03 pm

    Now, apparently, AP picked up this injury in bed.
    I have always rated him, but it really is getting to be a bit of a ‘sick’ joke!

  • 15.Corndog: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 16:05 pm

    They called him Mr Glass

  • 16.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 16:08 pm

    #14 Mistral: it is his hammie isnt it?

    not the *** again?

  • 17.Corndog: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 16:10 pm

    Good to see Joubert back, very underrated player.

  • 18.alf: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 16:14 pm

    #2 coma: Nee kyk, ek het gedink jy is in ‘n ‘coma’, nou weet ek dit verseker ! ;-)

  • 19.Mistral: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 16:29 pm

    #16 rangerman: Yup, hammie. What I read is that he trained OK Monday. Somehow, then between going going to bed and getting up on Tuesday, he was injured.

  • 20.wp_boytjie: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 20:03 pm

    Hope Doppies gets injured. I want to see Walter Venter get a chance. The loose trio looks better balanced now , can’t see the Lions pulling it off , but il be shouting all the way for the underdog…

  • 21.Ed_the_Lion_in_Boston: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 20:09 pm

    Die Leeus gaan wen!!!!!!!!

  • 22.Katsesnor: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 20:16 pm

    #21 Ed_the_Lion_in_Boston: Hulle gaan wen ja, ons se net nie wanneer nie.

  • 23.RedLion: Reply to this comment
    26 Feb 2009, 21:25 pm

    #21

    Roar to that.

  • 24.Supa Die Bloubul: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2009, 02:11 am

    Go Bulle!!

  • 25.Hop Hop Spinnekop: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2009, 07:12 am

    I heard Walter Venter is playing Varsity Cup… that’s bs.
    What is Loffie’s problem??
    Doppies is past his sell by date. Very average these last few years.
    Walter is a solid performer.

  • 26.Brentie1: Reply to this comment
    27 Feb 2009, 21:49 pm

    It happens all up front,with Heinke suspended the Lions
    chance of pulling this one of has taken a dive.I see the
    Bulls taken charge up front and put a lot of pressure
    on the Lions pack.Pity, would have loved to see Heinke
    put the Bulls front row under pressure,but due to a over
    zealous citing commissioner that is not going to happen.

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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