New general to marshall Lions
It took three separate injuries to Elton Jantjies and a knee lay-off to Jaco van der Walt, but Springbok flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff is finally back in the Lions starting lineup, for the clash against the Bulls. There was probably a lot of compromise involved in getting "Bossie" to start at Loftus on Saturday after coach Johan Ackermann excluded him from the senior team all season and Boshoff signed with Irish club Connacht.For the sake of getting what could be a season-defining win over a resurgent Bulls, everyone is puffing on the peace pipe. "The team backs Boshoff and so do we, as management," said Ackermann."He waited and waited for his opportunity while Elton was in good form. We don't expect him to play like Elton but to the best of his ability and to his strong points."Marnitz has played at the highest level, so we can't ask for a better [replacement] in terms of experience."Without Jantjies, the Lions enter the Bulls' kraal with a different general marshalling proceedings and the team will have to adjust to the way Boshoff does things.Reward form and skill and rugby will be transformedCheslin Kolbe’s game-breaking ability demands a world stage when Ireland visit South Africa for a Test series in June. Boshoff can play the running game, even though he's not as mercurial as Jantjies, but he's comfortable playing for territory.Not everything will depend on how Boshoff conducts the well-oiled orchestra, of course.The Lions will be sucked into what could turn out to be their most physical contest of the season.Front-rowers Dylan Smith, Malcolm Marx and Julian Redelinghuys will be up against Lizo Gqoboka, Adriaan Strauss and Marcel van der Merwe. "That's going to be a massive battle," said Ackermann.There will be tough competition all over the park.Incumbent Springbok outside centre Jesse Kriel will square up against South Africa' s current in-form No13 , Lionel Mapoe. The quick Courtnall Skosan will face the agile Jamba Ulengo.The lock battle between RG Snyman and Franco Mostert is something Bulls coach Nollis Marais has already highlighted.One skirmish that may be crucial will be the duel of the hookers between veteran Adriaan Strauss and gutsy 21-year-old Malcolm Marx...
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