Backline thrust … Butch James (L) and Doppies la Grange will spend time next to each other in midfield.
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Foxsports.com.au continues its countdown to the Super Rugby season by looking at the Lions, the team Greg Clark predicts will finish fourth in the South African conference.
Jacobie Adriaanse, Michael Bondesio, Martin Bezuidenhout, Patric Cilliers, Ross Cronje, Dylan des Fountain, Stephan Greeff, Cobus Grobbelaar, Alwyn Hollenbach, Butch James, JC Janse van Rensburg, Elton Jantjies, James Kamana, Michael Killian, Jaco Kriel, Doppues la Grange, Bandies Maku, Lionel Mape, Derick Minnie, Whestley Moolman, Waylon Murray, Michael Rhodes, Hendrik Roodt, Joshua strauss, Jaco Taute, CJ van der Linde, Franco can der Merww, Wikus van Heerden, Deon van Rensburg, Warren Whiteley.
Who’s new: Ross Cronje, Stephan Greeff, Whestley Moolman, Hendrik Roodt, CJ van der Linde.
Who’s shot through: Jannie Boshoff, Renaldo Bothma, David Bulbring, Tonderai Chavhanga, David de Villiers, George Earle, Joubert Engelbrecht, Burton Francis, Ross Geldenhuys, Trevor Hall, Rory Kockott, Edgar Marutlulle, Andre Pretorius, Jano Vermaak.
Then and now: After guiding the Lions to just three wins in 2011, coach John Mitchell is desperate to improve on his first year in Johannesburg. With a young squad, the bulk of whom clinched the 2011 Currie Cup, Mitchell certainly has enough raw talent to work with. But, with the uncertainty surrounding the franchise’s financial stability and rumours persisting about the introduction of Southern Kings in 2013, off-field issues could once again affect their on-field performance. Still, the presence of hard-nosed Springboks veteran Butch James – who joined the Lions late last season – could prove the key to the perennial strugglers finding some consistency.
Be sure to return on Wednesday when foxsports.com.au continues its preview of the South African Super Rugby conference.
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Main Man: Doppies la Grange: You could have forgiven Doppies la Grange for packing up his boots in search of greener pastures, but to the centre’s credit he remains committed to the pride. A hard-running, bustling ball-player – who is capable of playing at either 12 or 13 – la Grange will once again be the key to a Lions backline that make a lot of line-breaks that don’t result in five-pointers. La Grange will probably spend time outside of both James and youngster Elton Jantjies, with Mitchell poised to use both players at fly half throughout the season. Both men have the skills to unleash la Grange and with rising winger Michael Killian attracting defenders out wide, we might see the very best of the veteran centre – something the Lions desperately need.
Next big thing: Michael Bondesio: With neither Jano Vemaark nor Rory Kockott around to bark orders, Mitchell will most likely turn to Michael Bondesio at scrumhalf. The Johannesburg-local had a breakout Currie Cup last year and while you might think 26 is a little on the late side to be making your Super Rugby debut, Bondesio is a testament to the old adage of hard work paying off. Cut from the typical South African halfback mould, Bondesio loves a snipe himself while also being a capable defender. Still, he’ll need a historically under-performing pack to achieve parity up front if he’s to be an attacking threat.
Fox Sports Stats: The Lions will be out to improve their ball retention and finishing in 2012, after recording the most line-breaks (103), but second-fewest tries, of any South African team last season. If they can turn those half-opportunities into five-pointers then a move up the ladder should soon follow.
The Adjudicator: Now I’ve dealt with a few break-room office squabbles in my time, but the troubles circulating the corridors of Coca-Cola Park appear to be too great for even my mediation skills. I know what you’re thinking and yes, things really are that bad inside the Lions’ den. There was indeed a brief moment of joy when a jam-packed Coca-Cola Park cheered the Lions to victory in the Currie Cup final. But, once the Castle was mopped up and the last of the biltong consumed, it was normal services resumed. Look for Butch James to take his career fears out on opposition ball-runners – have both the yellow and red cards at the ready, referees.
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