Stronger Lions ready for URC kick-off, says Jaque Fourie

A bolstered Lions team is hard at work preparing for the third season of the United Rugby Championship that kicks off in just over a weeks’ time.

In the off season the Lions made a number of permanent and loan signings to build some important squad depth, while they also made a couple of coaching recruitments that they will be hoping have a positive effect.

New recruits

On the player front, former Bulls outside back Richard Kriel and centre Erich Cronje both join from Zebre, while Cheetahs prop Conraad van Vuuren and Griquas utility back Zander du Plessis have also joined on permanent deals.

Western Province flyhalf Kade Wolhuter and Griquas loose forward Hanru Sirgel have both signed loan deals.

On the coaching front, Barend Pieterse comes in to replace Albert van den Berg as the forwards and lineouts coach, while former Springbok and Bulls legend Morne Steyn has signed on as the teams kicking consultant for the next two seasons.

‘Spirits high’

Assistant coach Jaque Fourie believes that everything has been going smoothly over the pre-season so far and that the players are ready for the start of the season.

“Everything has been going well so far in our pre-season. The guys have been working hard and we have been trying to get them physically and mentally ready for the season. So they are looking good and the spirits are high,” said Fourie.

“Most of the guys that have joined us have slotted in well. So our squad is looking good ahead of what we expect to be a tough season.

“The guys are working hard in the gym and hard on the training field, so they’re taking it in and getting better every week. I think come the first game the guys are going to be fresh and raring to go.”

Morne Steyn

The arrival of Steyn at the union last month was met with surprise and fanfare and the Lions will be hoping that his influence will have a positive effect on their flyhalf stocks featuring Jordan Hendrikse, Gianni Lombard and Wolhuter, among some of the younger up and coming guys.

“It has been a boost (Steyn’s arrival). That was one of the areas that we needed to make a step up, with our 10s’ decision making and kicking,” explained Fourie.

“It’s one thing to be able to kick but another to kick accurately, especially late in a game when we need to kick the ball 5m out from the try line.

“That’s going to be vital for us. So with those small gains that you need to win, we have to get that better with our flyhalves and the rest of our backline. Morne is working hard with them and we hope to see a good improvement in that aspect in the coming season.”