Lions dominate Boks

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is expected to stack his Springbok starting lineup for the second Test against France at Kings Park on Saturday with no fewer than eight Lions players when he names the side today.

Lionel Mapoe, fit after missing the first Test with a hamstring strain, will replace injured Jesse Kriel at outside centre to join teammates Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Ross Cronje and Elton Jantjies in the backline.

With Coetzee having said he would not tinker much with the side that played in the first Test in Pretoria, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert and captain Warren Whiteley will be the Lion's players among the forwards.

The Lions have been the most successful South African team in Super Rugby this season, having won 12 of 13 matches. They also boast a highly impressive run of 10 successive victories.

Boks assistant coach Franco Smith said on Tuesday that the dominance of Lions players in the national team was justified because not only had they done very well for their Super Rugby team, they were the best in their positions.

"Throughout the three camps that we have had, there were a lot of opportunities," he said.

"I think on merit the Lions players have been doing well and they deserve their starting spots. Some of them are the best players available in their positions."

He shared Coetzee's sentiments that they were unlikely to make many changes and he pointed out the importance of continuity.

"Players are playing together and it makes a lot of the work easier. But we still have our own languages, ethics, way of doing things and they have adapted nicely."

With Mapoe moving to No 13 alongside Jan Serfontein at 12, the experienced Frans Steyn, who won his first Test cap after almost five years last weekend as a substitute, will once again start on the bench.

"There are those who feel that this is a good opportunity to bring Frans Steyn back into the starting lineup at 12 but I will definitely settle for a specialist outside centre," said Coetzee this week.

"[Serfontein] played an important role for us at 12 and I wouldn't want to move him because then you are making two changes.

"I would rather stick with Jan at 12 and change with [Mapoe] or whoever at 13."

Smith said the unavailability of Kriel would affect their system.

"We all would have liked to see Jesse out there for another week to build on the performance because he did very well in the first Test and he is settling in the No 13 jersey.

"At this level continuity is important but we also know that we are going to need lot of players who are developed in different roles.

"I think outside backs are one of the positions where we can always do with another number and creativity in the role is important."