The Lions begin their United Rugby Championship (URC) season on Saturday at Emirates Airline Park against the Bulls in the Jukskei Derby (kick-off 4.05pm).
The reality is that they have lost a number of star players over the offseason, but they also have a number of incredibly young, talented, and skilled players who will be more accustomed to the rigors of the URC.
Here, Morgan Bolton examines five players that have the potential to ignite the Lions and restore The Pride.
5 Quan Horn
It is evident that the former Baby Bok has what it takes to become a pivotal player for the Lions despite having played only a handful of senior professional rugby matches.
The 21-year-old played the majority of these matches at fullback, although he can also play flank and his favored outside-centre position. During these encounters, he demonstrated a willingness to attack the gainline and was unafraid to launch devastating counterattacks from his own half.
He has a powerful left foot that will undoubtedly be advantageous at altitude, but will also boost the Lions’ kicking game wherever they travel. If he is to wear No. 15 or play on the right wing, he will need to improve his aerial defence, but he is otherwise a strong player.
4 Gianni Lombard
The utility back returns to the Lions after an injury-plagued tenure in Japan.
Many are hopeful that the 24-year-second old’s stint with the Lions will reignite the concept that he is one of the country’s future stars. Lombard can play both No. 15 and flyhalf, but it remains to be seen how he will fit into head coach Ivan van Rooyen’s game plan.
He will be in close competition with Jordan Hendrikse for the No. 10 jersey. Therefore, he may have a future as a playmaker from the back who, when necessary, fills the No. 10 position à la Willie le Roux.
3 Jordan Hendrikse
Regarding Hendrikse, this year might be monumental for the 21-year-old.
In the previous URC season, the Lions flyhalf laid a marker for future events. He may be young, but he plays with a maturity that beyond his years. Despite the fact that he occasionally makes mistakes, the Lions appear to be more stable and composed when he is in charge at the pivot.
Due to the Springboks’ dire lack of flyhalves, Hendrikse and his other young No. 10s around the country represent the future generation of players who potentially don the Green and Gold. Fairly speaking, he probably won’t be considered by the Boks next season, but if he makes a strong enough case in the coming months, they won’t be able to reject him in the near future.
2 Emmanuel Tshituka
Vincent’s departure from the Lions’ loose-trio leaves large shoes to fill, but you feel that Emmanuel is up to the challenge.
The 22-year-old Tshituka is versatile enough to play lock or flank, which will always come in useful. Once he’s in a gallop, he’s difficult to knock down as he’s a powerful ball carrier. Although he enjoys a nice run, he doesn’t mind getting involved in the breakdown or avoiding the physical stuff.
He has already earned Man of the Match honors with the Lions, and with his celebrated sibling now playing for the Sharks, he may prove that he is as good as, if not better than, his celebrated sibling.
1 Ruan Venter
Another Baby Bok with a promising future, Venter is already a cohesive unit.
The Paarl Boys High School graduate stands 1.98 meters tall and weighs 115 kilograms. Similar to Tshituka, he can also play lock, which is his favourite position, however the Lions have utilized him as a flank when necessary during his brief tenure with the club.
He is a belligerent ball-carrier but also athletic and mobile and can break the line and off-load when he space, too. There are traces of Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert in him, which might make him one of the Lions’ top performers this season.
Van Rooyen is convinced he is a Springbok-in-waiting. If he puts in a good URC season, it will be difficult to argue against that sentiment.
@FreemanZAR