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Lions' scrum plan for Newlands

Cape Town - The Golden Lions have targeted the engine room - and more specifically the scrums - as they prepare for Saturday's Currie Cup final against Western Province at Newlands.

Coach Johan Ackermann has named a full front row of replacements, with Jacques van Rooyen coming in for loose forward Kwagga Smith. He joins Julian Redelinghuys and Armand van der Merwe on the bench and the trio is expected to be sent on in the second half.

"I consider the importance of fresh props in a match quite high," Ackermann told Beeld. "And it also gives you the best of both worlds.

"When things are tough and competitive, you are given the opportunity to approach the scrum in a different manner. Our props also complement each other well which allows us to maintain our intensity if we're on the front foot."

Ackermann also expects more scrums than usual on Saturday. "Conditions at Newlands is always a bit more damp, especially the playing surface. It's a final and there will be nerves. You'll see more handling errors."

The last time Western Province and the Lions met in a Currie Cup final was way back in 1986, when the hosts beat the then Transvaal 22-9 at Newlands.

Kick-off for Saturday's clash is scheduled for 17:00.

Teams:

Western Province:

15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (captain), 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Pat Cilliers, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Alistair Vermaak

Substitutes: 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Brok Harris, 19 Gerbrandt Grobler, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Kurt Coleman, 22 Michael van der Spuy

Golden Lions:

15 Jaco van der Walt, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Martin Muller, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Schalk van der Merwe

Substitutes: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Willie Britz, 20 Warwick Tecklenburg, 21 Mark Richards, 22 Harold Vorster
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