Sanjay's Rugby World

Lions coach Dick Muir may have an unleashed the next Springbok wing.

In naming his side for the Lions first Super 14 encounter this season against the Stormers, Muir has surprised us all by naming Wandile Mjekevu in the starting lineup on the right wing.

Whilst there were two other surprises by Muir in picking Hannes Franklin from the Pumas at hooker, and Jaques Lombard at lock, it was Mjekuvu at wing that raised the most eyebrows.

Muir has described the 19 year old Mjekuvu as a future Springbok. He is a South African schools winger, and has taken his chances so far to impress Muir.

Muir had this to say about the young talent, “One of the things you realise as a coach in the Super 14 is that you have to play it with potential future Springboks. He’s been showing the potential to take that step up. He is still very young, a bit fragile still, but certainly I believe he is the right man for the job taking us through the season.”

“We certainly wouldn’t have chosen him if we didn’t think his head was strong enough. He certainly has what we are looking for from a potential perspective, and yes, I think he is certainly ready for it” said Muir.

It’s a great attitude from Muir, and shows he will not be adopting the conservative attitude this year. Winners take chances, back themselves and are usually rewarded for being bold.

I can’t  wait to see what young Mjekuvu can do. As Springbok backline coach, Muir could have a great influence in Mjekuvu rising to be the next Springbok wing. It may not be this season, but I wouldn’t count against it in the near future!

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The Lions

The Lions have suffered horrendously in the past 3 years under Eugene Eloff who has now gone to bugger up Boland rugby. Dick Muir is in charge of the Lions, and has a 3 year plan to win the Super 14/15.

This year won’t bring any miracles, but it should see a vast change in attitude, skills and fortune. Like the Cheetahs, the Lions can aid the South African cause by beating overseas opposition at home.

The Lions have lost Andre Pretorius, Jaque Fourie, Willem Alberts, Louis Ludik, Anton van Zyl and Willie Wepener, key players in 2009. However there are some exciting signings such as Burton Francis, Tonderai Chavhanga, Jonathan Mokuena and especially Carlos Spencer.

Spencer will control this side, bring flair and hopefully ensure the Lions score tries. Interestingly I’m not sure where that leaves Burton Francis who I rate highly. Could Spencer play at inside centre? Earl Rose may then play fullback or miss out altogther.

While the backline looks exciting, the forward pack looks to be the weak area. That’s a strange situation for a side from Johannesburg. The lineout especially has been a problem and the Lions will need plenty of luck in this area.

Cobus Grobbelaar will lead the side from flank and will be well supported by Jonathan Mokuena at eightman. Mokuena could be a potential star this year with superb handling skills and could combine brilliantly with Carlos Spencer.

I expect the Lions may start slowly but get better and better as the competition progresses.

Watch out for: Number 8 Jonathan Mokuena has a strong workrate and great handling skills honed from his sevens experience. Carlos Spencer at flyhalf under Dick Muir will be given free licence to showcase his range of skills. Burton Francis as backup flyhalf may just learn a thing or two from Spencer and show he also possesses all the skills.

Prediction: Middle of the pack

The Lions are looking to play an expansive brand of rugby in 2010.

Under former coach Eugene Eloff, the Lions tried an expansive approach but failed dismally.

Subsequent analysis showed the Lions players lacked the conditioning to be able to adequately implement a running game, and it showed with inconsistent play and defensive lapses that cost them dearly.

After Eloff was fired, and Jake White’s team came in and analysed the Lions’ players and structures, it was discovered that the players were extremely poorly conditioned.

The approach in the 2009 Currie Cup under caretaker coach Hans Coetzee was back to a structured, defensive orientated game-plan which we know Jake White favours.

However it is no secret that new Lions coach Dick Muir favours a running game and versatility among players.

New signing Carlos Spencer is the ideal player to exploit Dick Muir’s preferred style and says the Lions will play an expansive game to outrun their Australasian opponents in the rarefied atmosphere of Johannesburg.

“Dick and I have talked about it and being at high altitude we can afford to throw the ball around. With teams coming from Australasia, the idea is to run these guys around when they come to Ellis Park. An expansive game will suit us to try tire them out, and I’m excited about that” said Spencer

“The skill levels of the South African players has changed over the past few years. That’s the reason why a South African side has won the Super 14 twice in three years. Look at the Bulls, their skill levels have definitely improved in the way they play now. After my first training session with the Lions, the skills were great, especially among the young guys” said Spencer

I’ve often wondered why our highveld sides don’t try this approach more often. A negative mindset, poor conditioning and inadequate ball-skills are the only factors that will hinder it’s execution. We have the aid of altitude, what better way to make it count than running the opposition ragged, and the best way to do that is with an expansive game plan.

I’ll look forward to seeing a new approach, better fitness levels and better results from a Lions side that appears to finally have the right attitude and playing to win, rather than trying not to lose.

Former Springbok flanker Wickus van Heerden has signed a new contract with the Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU).

van Heerden spent 9 seasons at the Lions, before moving to the Bulls and winning the Super 14 and Rugby World Cup in 2007. He then departed to England and has been playing for Saracens, but will return to South Africa in time for the 2010 Currie Cup.

He will finish with Saracens on June 30, before taking up his contract with the Lions from July 2010 to October 2012.

van Heerden is looking forward to returning to the union where he first started playing professional rugby. “Since my time at the Lions I have grown as a player and have gathered much experience at both the Bulls and Saracens. I am hoping to utilise this experience and make an impact when I join them later this year. The Lions have always been a very special team to me.” said van Heerden.

With Springbok ambitions possibly his primary motivation, van Heerden has a great chance of representing the Boks on the end of year tour if he can show top form. Peter de Villiers will be looking at resting many top Boks on the 2010 end of year tour, and someone with van Heerden’s experience, especially of northern hemisphere conditions will be invaluable.

Since Dick Muir has taken over at the Lions, his influence and direction may be luring players such as van Heerden and Carlos Spencer to what was the most successful union in South Africa during the 90’s.

Are we seeing a change at the Johannesburg based union and a return to their former glory days?