Olympic bronze medallist returns to boost Lions ahead of Bulls showdown

30 August 2016 - 18:41 By Chumani Bambani

The Golden Lions have been bolstered by the inclusion of Sevens star Kwagga Smith ahead of their Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Friday. Smith‚ who recently returned with the bronze medal with the Blitzboks from the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro‚ is one of seven changes Lions coach Johan Ackermann has made for the Jukskei derby.Despite an emphatic and impressive 60-12 win over the Boland Cavaliers last week‚ Ackermann has not stuck to the team that moved the defending champs up the standings to third place.The Lions coach has opted to rather continue implementing his rotational system.“We have rotated some players‚ giving others a break‚" Ackermann said on Tuesday.“Guys like Jacques van Rooyen‚ Lourens Erasmus and Courtnall Skosan come back after getting their breaks. It’s great also to welcome back Kwagga from the Sevens.“Rohan Janse van Rensburg has recovered from his injury‚ so it is good to have him back as well.” Smith’s presence will boost the promising loose trio which also consists of Cyle Brink at blindside flanker and Ruan Ackermann at No8.There will be no lack of experience nor explosiveness in the backline with the tested halfback pairing of Ross Cronje and Marnitz Boshoff set to ignite the spark alongside a centre partnership between Howard Mnisi and Janse van Rensburg.Anthony Volmink‚ Skosan and Andries Coetzee are also set to keep the Bulls on their toes. The Lions have enjoyed the upper hand in recent encounters against their arch-rivals‚ in both the Currie Cup and Super Rugby.The Johannesburg-based side is nonetheless cautious of playing the Bulls in their own backyard.“We are excited about the challenge‚” said Ackermann.“It is always a massive challenge to play the Bulls at Loftus. Hopefully it will be a great game for the spectators to watch.”Lions team:Andries Coetzee‚Courtnall Skosan‚Rohan Janse van Rensburg‚Howard Mnisi‚Anthony Volmink‚Marnitz Boshoff‚Ross Cronje‚Ruan Ackermann‚Cyle Brink‚Kwagga Smith‚Lourens Erasmus‚Martin Muller‚Jacques van Rooyen‚Robbie Coetzee‚Dylan Smith.Replacements:Armand van der Merwe‚Corne Fourie‚Victor Sekekete‚Fabian Booysen‚Dillon Smit‚Jaco van der Walt‚Jacques Nel...

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