Strong Emirates Lions outfit for VSR opener

2019-02-12

Warren Whiteley will lead a strong Emirates Lions side when they take the field against the Jaguares in their Vodacom Super Rugby opener in Argentina on Saturday evening (23:40 SA time).

Carlu Sadie and Stephan Lewies will make their Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Emirates Lions in the starting line-up. The bench includes new faces Frans van Wyk, Ruan Vermaak, Gianni Lombard and Wandisile Simelane. Each of the previous seven meetings between the Jaguares and the Emirates Lions have been won by the home team on the day. The Lions currently have four wins to the Jaguares' three.

Lions' hooker Malcolm Marx (27) won more turnovers than anyone else in Super Rugby 2018. Players not considered due to injury were Kwagga Smith (calf strain, should be ready in a week), Stephan Lewies (minor pectoral tear, should be ready in a week), Cyle Brink (recovering from long-term injury), Robbie Coetzee (recovering from long-term injury), Johannes Jonker (recovering from long-term injury) and Ross Cronje (recovering from long-term injury).

Annemie Bester