Lions 2012

[PaarlBok]

You can expect something totally different from the past like all WP and Sharks supporters did over the last two weeks. The CC Champion Lions will go in the best shape in a long time in the 2012 season.

Possible squad
Fatties: JC, CJ vd Linde, Kevin Buys, Jacobie Adriaanse, Patrick Cilliers, Geldenhuys
2: Maku, Bezuidenhout, Maratlule, Callie Visagie
Locks: Wikus van Heerden, Franco, Joe Snyman, Hendrik Roodt, Bulbring
Loosies: Baywatch, Minnie, Josh, Whiteley, Rhodes, Kriel
Scrummies: Bondizzles, Paige, Cronje
10: Jantjies, Burton, Butch
12,13: Doppies, Alwyn, Waylon, Mapoe, des Fountain
Wings: van Rensburg, Killian, Jannie Boshoff, Mjekevu
15: Taute, Kamana

Fixture List:
Home/Away Against
Round 1 Home Cheetahs
Round 2 Home Hurricanes
Round 3 Away Sharks
Round 4 Bye
Round 5 Home Stormers
Round 6 Home Crusaders
Round 7 Away Cheetahs
Round 8 Home Bulls
Round 9 Bye
Round 10 Home Brumbies
Round 11 Away Chiefs
Round 12 Away Blues
Round 13 Away Reds
Round 14 Away Force
Round 15 Home Sharks

Round 16 Away Stormers
Round 17 Home Rebels
Round 18 Away Bulls

Don't Play
Highlanders
Waratahs

 

[Hawko]

Paarl,

This is good news for the Super comp. With the rise last year of the Cheetahs and now this year the Lions I expect that the SA franchise will be much more even in quality. This will lead to less dud games and raise the level of competition across the board as there will no longer be two easy-beat games on the SA tour.

It is a bit of a worry that they have "Dud" Roodt in their squad. He was the worst ever Waratah import in a squad renowned for its forward development. How did he play in Currie Cup?

 

[Swarley]

You can expect something totally different from the past like all WP and Sharks supporters did over the last two weeks. The CC Champion Lions will go in the best shape in a long time in the 2012 season.

1. JC Janse van Rensburg
2. Bandise Maku
3. CJ van der Linde
4. Wikus van Heerden
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Cobus Grobbelaar
7. Derick Minnie
8. Josh Strauss (c)
9. Michael Bondesio
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Michael Killian
12. Butch James
13. Doppies la Grange
14. Dylan Des Fountain
15. Jaco Taute

Will the starting side be much different from that Paarl? I'm not sure how you'd fit Jantjies, Butch, Doppies and Murray into the one team. Please correct me if you think that I've picked the wrong combo.

 

[Brisbok]

Swarley

1. CJ van Der Linde
2. Bandise Maku
3. Patric Cilliers
4. Wikus van Heerden
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Derick Minnie
7. Michael Rhodes
8. Josh Strauss (c)
9. Michael Bondesio
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Michael Killian
12. Alwyn Hollenbach
13. Doppies la Grange
14. Deon van Rensburg
15. Jaco Taute



If you were to go on how they started their last game, the changes would be as per the above. Could be a change or two come the start of Super Rugby though.

 

[Brisbok]

Edited by Lee Grant?

 

[Blue]

1. JC Janse van Rensburg
2. Bandise Maku
3. CJ van der Linde
4. Wikus van Heerden
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Cobus Grobbelaar
7. Derick Minnie
8. Josh Strauss (c)
9. Michael Bondesio
10. Elton Jantjies
11. Michael Killian
12. Butch James
13. Doppies la Grange
14. Dylan Des Fountain
15. Jaco Taute

Will the starting side be much different from that Paarl? I'm not sure how you'd fit Jantjies, Butch, Doppies and Murray into the one team. Please correct me if you think that I've picked the wrong combo.

Not Grobbelaar and Minnie together - both opensides. Rhodes is a very good young blindside and their ace lineout jumper. Takes ball at back and front so he will start.

Van Rensburg has the inside track on the wing over Des Fountain.

Hollenbach ahead of Butch for me, but if Murray shows some early form he is likely to play 13 with Doppies at 12. That's the best combo.

Will be harsh dropping Pat Cilliers. I think they will rotate the props quite a bit.

I like this team. I am supposed to hate the bastards but can't help liking them.

 

[hammertimethere]

Watched only a little CC but I have a man crush on josh strauss the size of his beard

 

[Lee Grant]

That was a great win by the Lions with virtually a no name team against players with bigger scrapbooks, especially their front row of Beast, BdP and JdP. But if anything, I was more impressed by their semi win against WP with fellows like Schalk, Habana, Aplon, J. Fourie and JdV in it.

I see that all of the Lions matchday 22 for the CC final are named by PB in the 2012 Lions "possible squad"; so that will give them a lot of continuity, but was it not the case for 2011 also?

They showed some good signs in 2011 including beating the Brumbies and Highlanders on tour then drawing against the Sharks when they returned. But why can we confident that a team that finished 2nd last in the S15 in 2011, and except for the Rebels, gave up the most number of tries, will do much better next year with many of the same players? Can we be sure that they won't be turnstiles again?

A response may be that they will be a year older and you can see that their defence must have improved, because they were 3rd best in the Currie Cup in tries against, after WP and the Sharks.

We will see. I hope it is so and that the Rebels also address their defensive woes. Both teams will have to improve, to improve the competition as a whole.

PS. It looks like young Elton Jantjies is getting better and better. Can't wait to see him again in Super Rugby and ditto for Winger Michael Killian. Taute looks good too but he has to show improvement as a defensive player next year.
.

 

[PaarlBok]

John Mitchells word on the S15 and the future
http://www.sportlive.co.za/rugby/curriecup/2011/10/31/just-the-beginning-for-the-lions-says-mitchell

Just the beginning for the Lions, says Mitchell

The Lions celebrate after being crowned Currie Cup winners at Ellis Park stadium. They beat the Sharks 42-16
Image by: Simphiwe NkwaliSave & Share
Victorious Golden Lions coach John Mitchell has challenged his Currie Cup-winning players to continue improving in next year's Super 15 competition or risk being left out.
The Lions captured their first silverware in 12 years when they beat the Sharks 42-16 in the Currie Cup final at Ellis Park on Saturday.

For a side that has regularly propped up the standings in Super rugby, and before Saturday had last made a Currie Cup final in 2007, it was a massive achievement.

The next step for the Lions is to take the momentum from the Currie Cup to the next level - becoming a force in the southern hemisphere's toughest provincial competition - Super rugby.

"Belief is an important thing in rugby. Winning the Currie Cup was a very good mental deposit for us and it's important we all enjoy the moment," Mitchell told The Times.

"But everything is finite in rugby and clearly the guys that got the job done for us on Saturday won't necessarily be the guys that play in Super rugby.

"We have a team culture driven from within. It's a culture of accountability and the expectations, values and goals we have set will remain in place and then it's up to each individual to keep improving.

"It's also necessary that the guys get away from the game for a little while to refresh their minds and their bodies, but they will still follow their fitness programmes because this break is an important physical window towards next season.

"The players will have come back in better physical shape for Super rugby next year."

But he insisted that he would not acquire many new players for the Super rugby competition.

"I've got the squad pretty well sorted because I'll be getting a few players from the Pumas," Mitchell said. "I've also got hooker Callie Visagie coming out of Western Province and scrumhalf Ross Cronje from the Sharks.

"Ross has been blocked in some ways at the Sharks and he's looking to become a regular player. Michael Bondesio has been fantastic for us but he also needs to be challenged.

"Ross is a tall halfback and adds another dimension, and while he hasn't had a lot of game time in Durban I'm sure he'll grow under our programme."

Winning is definitely a step in the right direction, but Mitchell knows that victory doesn't automatically translate into success at a higher level.

"Look, we had to do it the hard way because by the time we got to the play-offs our opponents had all their stars back," Mitchell said of their semifinal and final wins over WP and the Sharks.

"They reflected that we have matured and have become calmer as a group when we're under pressure."

Which are both good signs for the future.

 

[Lee Grant]

Watched only a little CC but I have a man crush on josh strauss the size of his beard

Wikus cut if off !!! What a waste.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Josh-Srausss-beard-is-history-20111030

 

[PaarlBok]

But why can we confident that a team that finished 2nd last in the S15 in 2011, and except for the Rebels, gave up the most number of tries, will do much better next year with many of the same players? Can we be sure that they won't be turnstiles again?

A lot has happen since Oom Lee. Their upwards curve started since that win at the house of pain in NZ in the S15.

Their results
CC
RESULTS October
29 Lions 42 16 Sharks Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
22 Lions 29 20 Western Province Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
15 Sharks 53 9 Lions Mr Price Kings Park, Durban
08 Lions 42 25 Western Province Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
01 FS Cheetahs 25 25 Lions Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
September
24 Lions 18 21 Blue Bulls Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
16 Leopards 23 43 Lions Profert Olen Park, Potchefstroom
09 Lions 41 25 Griquas Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
02 Pumas 20 34 Lions Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
August
27 Lions 28 19 Sharks Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
19 Western Province 28 26 Lions DHL Newlands, Cape Town
13 Lions 17 10 FS Cheetahs Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
06 Blue Bulls 27 36 Lions Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
July
30 Lions 53 36 Leopards Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
23 Griquas 11 49 Lions GWK Park, Kimberley
15 Lions 31 27 Pumas Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg


S15
RESULTS June
11 MTN Lions 30 30 Sharks Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
04 Hurricanes 38 27 MTN Lions Wellington
May
28 Highlanders 22 26 MTN Lions Dunedin
21 Waratahs 29 12 MTN Lions Sydney
14 Brumbies 20 29 MTN Lions Canberra
06 MTN Lions 19 53 Toyota Cheetahs Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg


They also have a much better fixture list in 2012. Had a lot of home matches first up and touring later.

 

[qwerty51]

Jantjies, Taute and Killian will be Bok starters next year.

 

[Brisbok]

Jantjies, Taute and Killian will be Bok starters next year.

These three players look to be very talented, but there is a long way to go before any Bok squads are picked for next year! A lot will depend on whether they can re-produce this form in Super Rugby, the new Bok coach and coaching staff etc.

A few of the incumbent outside backs have struggled for form in the last year or so, but all this could change next year.

...lets also not forget that some posititons, paticularly the outside backs it seems, are not always picked on merit alone in SA rugby.

 

[PaarlBok]

These three players look to be very talented, but there is a long way to go before any Bok squads are picked for next year! A lot will depend on whether they can re-produce this form in Super Rugby, the new Bok coach and coaching staff etc.

A few of the incumbent outside backs have struggled for form in the last year or so, but all this could change next year.

...lets also not forget that some posititons, paticularly the outside backs it seems, are not always picked on merit alone in SA rugby.

Isnt it great to see all this 10 and backline talents coming through from all provinces. Havent opened a Cheetah 2012 but they sure have some greats coming through like Johan Goosen. He sure is going to be one hell of a player.

 

[PaarlBok]

It is a bit of a worry that they have "Dud" Roodt in their squad. He was the worst ever Waratah import in a squad renowned for its forward development. How did he play in Currie Cup?

He did quite well for Griquas.

 

[hammertimethere]

That is horrendous behaviour, men shouldn't take it upon themselves to groom one another uninvited



btw without the beard he looks like woody graham

 

[PaarlBok]

Lions got hold of a Twin, two Matie players and one Aussies for the new season.

Twins= Guy and Ross Cronje (Hansie Cronjes nephews) from the Sharks
Maties= Stephan Greeff (lock) and the Matie captain and hooker Callie Visagie (he refuse a WP contract at the start of the season to finish his studies)
Aussie=Eddie Bredenhann (born in Witbank(Puma country) and did the chicken run with his family to Aus)

More good news for the Lions is that they poach back their Monna product Moolman broers, Wesley (scrummie) from the Lui Perde and one huge midfield talented Bradley (SA U20) from the Brutes.

 

[Swarley]

Jantjies, Taute and Killian will be Bok starters next year.

Really? I think Lambie's a better #15 than Taute. Jantjies is great and I prefer him to Steyn (especially now that his kicking is consistent), but starting is a big call. Haven't seen enough of Killian to make an astute judgement but Bryan Habana will likely retain the #11 jersey. I know this is going to sound racist, but the whole 'quota' issue is going to help Habana's case, just like it was a factor in PdV's selection as coach.

 

[Blue]

Really? I think Lambie's a better #15 than Taute. Jantjies is great and I prefer him to Steyn (especially now that his kicking is consistent), but starting is a big call. Haven't seen enough of Killian to make an astute judgement but Bryan Habana will likely retain the #11 jersey. I know this is going to sound racist, but the whole 'quota' issue is going to help Habana's case, just like it was a factor in PdV's selection as coach.

If Habana keeps the jersey it will be because he is good enough. If colour is indeed an issue, there are enough wingers of colour that will push for his jersey.

He needs a hello of a Super season or his time as a Bok will be over.

 

[qwerty51]

Really? I think Lambie's a better #15 than Taute. Jantjies is great and I prefer him to Steyn (especially now that his kicking is consistent), but starting is a big call. Haven't seen enough of Killian to make an astute judgement but Bryan Habana will likely retain the #11 jersey. I know this is going to sound racist, but the whole 'quota' issue is going to help Habana's case, just like it was a factor in PdV's selection as coach.

Taute can be as good as Beale and Dagg for mine. Outstanding talent.