MTN Lions pick two Boks for quarter-final against Blue Bulls

April 27 - The two Springboks in the MTN Golden Lions team for Saturday’s Vodacom Cup quarter-final against the Blue Bulls at Wits depict the balance of experience and youth throughout the much-changed side. The kick-off is at 2.30 pm. 

Veteran Andre Pretorius, a former Springbok Test flyhalf, has been selected at fullback – and at flyhalf young Elton Jantjies gets a run in an important match that could turn around his hesitant form this season. 

Similarly, on the wing Golden Lions coach Nico Serfontein has opted for SA Under-20 international Wandile Mjekevu with the experienced Dusty Noble on the other side. And at loose forward Jonathan Mokuena, who captained Griquas to the title two years ago, and former Blue Bulls loose forward Dries van Schalkwyk team up with young Jaco Kriel. 

On the bench, too, this mixture is noticeable as JP Joubert, Kevin Buys and Marius Delport in particular and to a lesser degree also Justin Wheeler will augment the side’s experience. 

Saturday’s run-on side includes nine players with Super Rugby experience this season. 

Only nine players selected to start on Saturday were in the starting side two weeks ago in the Golden Lions’ last league match of the North Section which they topped with only one loss and one draw from their eight matches. 

The team to play the Blue Bulls is:

Andre Pretorius, Wandile Mjekevu, Dylan Des Fountain, Alwyn Hollenbach, Dusty Noble, Elton Jantjies, Michael Bondesio, Dries van Schalkwyk, Jonathan Mokuena, Jaco Kriel, David Bulbring (capt.), George Earle, Jacobie Adriaanse, Edgar Marutlulle, Caylib Oosthuizen. Replacements: Abraham le Roux, Kevin Buys, Johan Snyman, Justin Wheeler, JP Joubert, Hein Cronje, Marius Delport.