Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Returning to the starting line-up after a seven-week absence, Lions centre Doppies la Grange says he cannot wait to get back to full action when the Currie Cup leaders host Griquas at Ellis Park on Friday night.
"It's good. It's been a frustrating few weeks for me," La Grange said.
"I'm just looking forward to getting a full 80 minutes and helping the team perform like they have in the last couple of weeks."
La Grange returned to the bench for the Lions’ last two games, against the Sharks and the Pumas, but will make his first start in almost two months against Griquas.
He replaces Lionel Mapoe who is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
Eighthman Joshua Strauss also returns to the run-on side, and regains the captaincy, while fullback James Kamana is back on the bench after a long injury lay-off.
La Grange commended the side which defeated the Pumas 34-20 in Nelspruit last week, in the absence of some key players, to bag the Lions’ seventh win in eight matches and stretch their lead to five points at the top of the standings.
"We controlled the game very well and kept up the momentum," he said.
"In the second half, they got the ball and they kept it, but our defence held up and we didn't let them through.
"This young side showed great composure after holding them up on our own line for 20 minutes and to go score ourselves and get the bonus points.
"We've got a lot of depth in our side, even in our loose forwards.
"We've also got James Kamana coming back and he's also a quality player."
Griquas are fifth on the log and will be desperate to stay in contention for a place in the playoffs after a topsy-turvy season.
La Grange said they expected a stiff challenge as the visitors looked to bounce back from a 41-35 loss to Western Province last week.
"Griquas are a very tricky side. They are a good side, they're fighters and I think they have some pride to restore after their last game in Kimberley,"” he said.
"They are going to come out all guns blazing and we know we're in for a good game this weekend."
Teams
Golden Lions:
15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Doppies la Grange, 12 Alwyn
Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8
Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Derrick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van
der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 JC
Janse van Rensburg
Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Warren Whitely, 21 Burton Francis, 22 James Kamana
Griquas:15 Rudi Vogt, 14 Rocco Jansen, 13 Wilmaure Louw, 12 Hanno Coetzee, 11 Dusty Noble, 10 Earl Rose, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jonathan Mokoena (captain), 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Justin Downey, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Ivann Espag
Substitutes: 16 Simon Westraadt, 17 Steph Roberts, 18 Frikkie Spies, 19 Leon Karemaker, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Matthew Rosslee, 22 Monty Dumond
* Click HERE for the latest Currie Cup odds on BET.CO.ZA
