Lions will battle to maintain their dominance
Team weakened by the departure of players such as Dreyer, Van Rooyen, Fourie and Mostert
The Lions’ status as conference frontrunners will come under threat this season as defections and a change in competition format are likely to pose uncomfortable questions. As much as they have proved to be one of the more exhilarating teams when in full cry on attack‚ the Lions have built their success around the sheer intensity they brought to different disciplines across the park. That has included a strong physical presence and consistency at the scrum and the breakdown. Their much vaunted tight five that boasted so much depth not so long ago‚ has been dramatically trimmed following Ruan Dreyer‚ Jacques van Rooyen‚ Corne Fourie and Franco Mostert’s departure. Add to that the injuries to prop Johannes Jonker and lock Lourens Erasmus and the Lions’ resources look thin in an area that demands bulk. Whether they still possess the unrelenting fire power to pummel their opponents into submission‚ is moot. It means much will rest on the young shoulders of on loan tighthead Carlu Sadie....
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.