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Johannesburg - Golden Lions flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff hopes to make an impact upon his surprise to return to the field this season.
Boshoff suffered a broken arm during the first round of the Currie Cup against and the Blue Bulls and was ruled out for the rest of the season.
It was a big blow to the team's domestic tournament ambitions as the pivot showed great form all year. The player also hoped to prove his worth on the domestic stage, having made his Springbok debut in June.
However, the 25-year-old made a surprise return to action during the Golden Lions' 46-8 win over Griquas in Kimberley last weekend. He featured off the bench during the impressive victory.
"I have to give credit to the doctor and medical staff. They have really done a fantastic job during my recovery, which has allowed me to make a quick return," Boshoff told the MyPlayers website.
"I got 20 minutes against Griquas. Everybody wondered how the injury would react in contact, but everything went fine. I'm happy to be back."
The Golden Lions are sitting pretty in second place on the log, following six wins from eight games. With two rounds remaining, they are favourites to qualify for the semi-finals.
Boshoff believes the Johannesburg-based union is making huge strides on and off the field.
"The Lions are playing an exciting brand of rugby. Our forwards are doing a great job up front, and our backs have come to the party and have taken their opportunities. It's been a collective effort," said Boshoff.
"This is impressive considering the tough amount of injuries the squad has endured during the Currie Cup. Even Stokkies Hanekom had to play flyhalf at one stage, and he last played flyhalf at school level!
"However, during this period, we are building great depth. It's not a team effort... it's been a squad effort.
"The younger players have stepped up very well. Especially a guy like Jaco van der Walt, who has played flyhalf in my absence. He's only 20, but he's shown great ability against tough opposition in the Currie Cup. This bodes well for the future of Lions rugby."
Boshoff has since been elevated to the starting team for Friday night’s clash with the Sharks in Durban (19:10 kick-off).
Teams:
Sharks:
TBA
Golden Lions:
15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe (captain), 12. Stokkies Hanekom, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Willie Britz, 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 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. Julian Redelinghuys, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Derick Minnie, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Mark Richards, 22. Howard Mnisi
For more exclusive player content, check out MyPlayers.co.za
Boshoff suffered a broken arm during the first round of the Currie Cup against and the Blue Bulls and was ruled out for the rest of the season.
It was a big blow to the team's domestic tournament ambitions as the pivot showed great form all year. The player also hoped to prove his worth on the domestic stage, having made his Springbok debut in June.
However, the 25-year-old made a surprise return to action during the Golden Lions' 46-8 win over Griquas in Kimberley last weekend. He featured off the bench during the impressive victory.
"I have to give credit to the doctor and medical staff. They have really done a fantastic job during my recovery, which has allowed me to make a quick return," Boshoff told the MyPlayers website.
"I got 20 minutes against Griquas. Everybody wondered how the injury would react in contact, but everything went fine. I'm happy to be back."
The Golden Lions are sitting pretty in second place on the log, following six wins from eight games. With two rounds remaining, they are favourites to qualify for the semi-finals.
Boshoff believes the Johannesburg-based union is making huge strides on and off the field.
"The Lions are playing an exciting brand of rugby. Our forwards are doing a great job up front, and our backs have come to the party and have taken their opportunities. It's been a collective effort," said Boshoff.
"This is impressive considering the tough amount of injuries the squad has endured during the Currie Cup. Even Stokkies Hanekom had to play flyhalf at one stage, and he last played flyhalf at school level!
"However, during this period, we are building great depth. It's not a team effort... it's been a squad effort.
"The younger players have stepped up very well. Especially a guy like Jaco van der Walt, who has played flyhalf in my absence. He's only 20, but he's shown great ability against tough opposition in the Currie Cup. This bodes well for the future of Lions rugby."
Boshoff has since been elevated to the starting team for Friday night’s clash with the Sharks in Durban (19:10 kick-off).
Teams:
Sharks:
TBA
Golden Lions:
15. Andries Coetzee, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Lionel Mapoe (captain), 12. Stokkies Hanekom, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Willie Britz, 7. Warwick Tecklenburg, 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. Julian Redelinghuys, 18. Jacques van Rooyen, 19. Derick Minnie, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Mark Richards, 22. Howard Mnisi
For more exclusive player content, check out MyPlayers.co.za
