Sibusiso Sangweni in action for the Lions in an Under-21 match against the Sharks late last year. Picture: Gallo Images
Flank and former U-21 star Sibusiso Sangweni has been given a golden opportunity to showcase his rising status for the Lions in their final Preparation Series match against the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
Lions coach Cash van Rooyen made 10 changes to his starting line-up yesterday and decided to withdraw more senior players, including lock Willem Alberts, wing Courtnall Skosan and fullback Tiaan Swanepoel.
“We decided to pull some more seniors to allow them more conditioning time, while others deserve an opportunity,” said Van Rooyen.
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Returning to the side were fullback EW Viljoen, centre Dan Kriel, wings Stean Pienaar and Rabz Maxwane, scrumhalf Ross Cronje and No 8 Len Massyn, while flyhalf Fred Zeilinga was set to get another opportunity from the bench.
“There are a couple of rotations and a few guys getting a start after being on the bench, and also guys who haven’t played the last two or three games,” said Van Rooyen.
Van Rooyen was excited about what Sangweni could bring, having named him ahead of MJ Pelser.
“Sbu is comfortable at six and eight and we want to see what he can bring for us against a team like this. He is mobile and quick and a great defender.”
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Massive prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye could also receive game time after being named on the bench.
“Asenathi is coming in for a reason and I’m really excited about him. He has the ability to change the game in that last 20 or 30 minutes,” said Van Rooyen.
“It’s a great occasion for him to show what he can do against a quality Stormers pack.”
While the Lions were without Alberts, Van Rooyen felt it was important to see how well Ruben Schoeman could back up Alberts in combination with Reinhard Nothnagel, who replaced Wilhelm van der Sluys.
“I am looking forward to see what Ruben can do in his start in the place of Willem,” said Van Rooyen.
“He can play a similar type of role for us, so we are excited for him and the same with Notties and Wilhelm. They are just swapping.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s game, Van Rooyen said they could always expect a good set-piece from the Stormers.
“They have a quality pack and they have showed us in the last few games they have more enterprise on attack,” he said.
“They have the ability to throw the ball around and that makes them even more dangerous.”
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