Emirates Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli and Head Coach Ivan van Rooyen briefed the media today ahead of the team’s first home game of the Vodacom Rugby Championship against Cardiff Rugby.

1️⃣0️⃣ days until @Vodacom #URC arrives in Joburg!

2020 Lions Members, join us when we welcome @Cardiff_Rugby to Emirates Airline Park for the first time! ????

Read more here: https://t.co/1mFQZ7HWaS#LionsPride #LIOvCDF pic.twitter.com/umJCdOXNzB

— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) November 18, 2021

ON THE INJURY FRONT

Ivan van Rooyen:

“It’s great to have the guys training at full steam especially players who did not join us our away leg of the competition.”

“Willem (Alberts) is training well so it’s fantastic to have him running at full tilt again. Tiaan (Swanepoel) is training well and will soon be kicking the distances he has become known for.”

FLYHALF OPTIONS

With Jordan Hendrikse on the side lines due to an ankle injury, there could be an opportunity for a few players to don the number ten jumper.

“Eddie (Fouche) becomes an option as he’s been training full out after a slight niggle which kept him out of last two games,” says van Rooyen.

“In saying that, we have EW (Viljoen), who slotted in as cover in the flyhalf position, as well as Vaughan Issacs, Fred Zeilinger and James Tedder (on loan) who can occupy the playmaker position,” he concluded.

 

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UPDATE ON JANNIE DU PLESSIS

CEO Rudolf Straeuli expressed how difficult the past week was with the passing of Jannie du Plessis’ son in a tragic pool incident.

“Our thoughts remain with Jannie and the Du Plessis family and we are giving them space and support as they finalise burial arrangements.”

“Jannie won’t be training with the team but has indicated that he will attend the game on Sunday,” concluded Straeuli.

TEAM TO FACE CARDIFF RUGBY

Van Rooyen will name his team later this week for Sunday’s encounter against Cardiff Rugby. Quizzed about the weather forecast on the day, the coach said the following:

“We’ll adapt to whatever the weather throws at us on the day but in saying that there’s not much that will change in terms of how approach the game. Likewise, Cardiff will have their own challenges in our conditions so once again it’s about who settles down the quickest.”

This weekend we welcome @Cardiff_Rugby to Emirates Airline Park for the first time!

Get to know the Welsh team ahead of our @Vodacom #URC clash this Sunday ????#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/JEsW02IcY5

— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) November 23, 2021