World Cup centre Jaque Fourie is back for the Lions – and coach Eugene Eloff will heave a sigh of relief at the return of the experienced three-quarter who will hopefully make a difference to a very ordinary backline.
News24 reports that in a major shake-up to the backline, Fourie has been selected as outside centre. He is being partnered with Walter Venter who moves to inside centre. Venter has been one of the two outstanding backs in the side with Louis Ludik.
Earl Rose is retained at fullback after a disastrous match against the Hurricanes last weekend, but wing Dusty Noble is replaced by Rayno Benjamin.
The dependable Ludik is on the other wing in place of Jannie Boshoff in another permutation of the back three where he has been a rare ray of light on attack and defence throughout the dismal season.
Willem Alberts is also back from the neck injury he sustained on the Lions’ Australasian tour and will take over as No 8 from Joe van Niekerk, who moves to flank in place of Franco van der Merwe. It will be Springbok Fourie’s first Super 14 match of the season and only his second after returning from the Springboks’ tour to Wales and England at the end of last year.
Fourie sustained a groin-related injury and was operated on before the start of the season.
He played for the Lions in the Vodacom Cup quarter-final the weekend before last in his first match after the injury and operation.
The home side are looking for a morale-boosting win that will go a long way towards regaining their pride, while the visiting Chiefs side, in fifth place on the log, are looking to secure a top four finish. The Lions could do the Sharks a huge favour by beating the Waikato-based side.
Lions team: Earl Rose, Louis Ludik, Jaque Fourie, Walter Venter, Rayno Benjamin, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Jano Vermaak, Willem Alberts, Joe van Niekerk, Cobus Grobbelaar (c), Gerhard Mostert, Dewald Senekal, JC Janse van Rensburg, Willie Wepener, Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: Etienne Reynecke, Ross Geldenhuys, Franco van der Merwe, Wilhelm Koch, Chris Jonck, Jannie Boshoff, Dusty Noble.
May 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I think he left it too late this year to impress for Bok colours.
Unless he wants to show up De Villiers and Bobo next week.
My centers for the Boks are still
12 Steyntjie
13 JdV
May 7th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
He will be in the group of 45.
He is one of the 11 Contracted Boks…
and we have seen this picture before.
Lions should not contract him. He has not played for them in 3years!
May 7th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I wonder what Pietploos will have to say about this.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Oops too late
May 7th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
“He has not played for them in 3years!”
That is scary hey.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Fourie is still the best outside center we have.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Bart,
Jsut imagine how good he will be if he actually plays more than three games in the Super 14
May 7th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
J Fourie is an yster – best 13 in the country even if he doesn’t play
May 8th, 2008 at 6:47 am
I fear it is a little too late, the damage has been done! The guys are so despondent at the moment that not even the return of 5 or 6 boks will make a difference nevermind only one…
May 8th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Would be great to see JF ease himself back in these last two games… just in time for the Welsh test… he has no peer in RSA…
May 8th, 2008 at 7:31 am
agreed bryce. The last thing SA needs right now is for him to rush it and get injured again. That is why I don’t know why Loffie is starting him on Saturday…
He is a bit injury prone like AP.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I have never questioned his ability.
I have only observed the fact that Jacque has not played a FULL S12/14 senior in the last 3years and that he always makes his comeback in the last games of the SuperRugby season…
just in time to show a bit of form and to be selected into the group..
For a province who is struggling financially…this is an expense they can/should save on.