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The pride of the Lions

Jacques van der Westhuyzen looks at the men that got them to the final of the toughest rugby competition in the world.

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Johan Ackermann and his merry band of warriors face a tough challenge against the Hurricanes this weekend as they chase Super Rugby glory.

Here Jacques van der Westhuyzen looks at the men that got them to the final of the toughest rugby competition in the world

Lions Super Rugby squad:

BACKS

Andries Coetzee

The 26-year-old has been a regular first team starter since 2014, but injury cost him game-time in the early rounds. He has been steady since his return after the international break, making few mistakes at the back. His biggest weapon is his long-range kicking boot.

Jaco van der Walt

Comfortable at fullback and flyhalf, it’s quite unbelievable to think he is just 22 years old, having been a member of the squad since 2014. Was excellent as Coetzee’s replacement and is now returning to form after himself being injury. A very attacking player

Sylvian Mahuza

The Lions’ newest recruit hasn’t had much game-time since joining midway through the competition. But he’s had his moments when given a chance. Is a wonderful attacking player and can play at wing or fullback, and at 23, is certainly one to keep an eye on.

Ruan Combrinck

One of the stars of the season, the right wing (26) has been outstanding in attack and defence and fully deserved his call-up to the Springboks. A try-machine, but also a player with plenty of skill and determination, he makes many assists. Also strong in defence and a good kicker.

Courtnall Skosan

One of the unsung heroes of the Lions team, the 25-year-old left wing has been a sublime finisher for Johan Ackermann’s men. But like so many of his teammates, he does so much more around the park. Excellent under the high ball and in defence, Skosan’s Bok days lie ahead of him.

Lionel Mapoe

What more can one say about the “oldie” in the backline, the 28-year-old is enjoying a stunning season. He is among the leading try-scorers and has assisted in a number of others. A powerhouse in attack and defence, he’s been at the heart of the Lions’ season.

Rohan Janse van Rensburg

The young buck, just 21, he’s been in scintillating form throughout, first from off the bench, but now one of the first names on the starting sheet. The inside centre is up there with the top try-scorers and is arguably the leading centre in the competition and is knocking hard on the door for higher honours. Pure power.

Howard Mnisi

The 27-year-old has grown immensely at the Lions and is without question one of the leading midfielders in the competition.

Strong going forward and excellent in the offload, Mnisi has scored some wonderful tries and been a key member in the rebirth of the Lions.

Elton Jantjies

He’s been threatening for years to stand tall and be the best flyhalf in the game ... well maybe he’s now there.

The man who turned 26 this week has been sublime throughout the campaign, kicking goals, scoring tries, creating tries and tackling strongly. A key squad man.

Faf de Klerk

The 24-year-old has, like so many of his teammates, been a standout performer this season. He has done pretty much everything asked of a world class scrumhalf, and then some, and was rewarded with his Bok colours. Without question the country’s leading No 9.

Ross Cronje

Not quite as explosive as De Klerk, but a more than worthy back-up scrumhalf, the 27-year-old playing a big part in the turn-around of the Lions’ fortunes in the last four years.

A steady operator, Cronje hardly puts a foot wrong, be it as a starter or after coming off the bench.

FORWARDS

Warren Whiteley

The leader of the pack has continued where he left off last year. Fantastic in every department he gave up the chance to go to the Olympics to have crack at Super Rugby glory. Excellent as a link man, carrier and defender, injury has cost the 28-year-old game-time at this crucial juncture of the season but his presence has inspired those around him.

Ruan Ackermann

The coach’s 20-year-old son was under the spotlight early on in the season, but he’s done everything asked of him and stood in excellently when Whiteley has missed out. Scored some very important tries and has grown immensely in the last few months since starting for the Springboks against Ireland in the third Test.

Warwick Tecklenburg

He’s one of the players who gets little recognition, but contributes greatly to the overall picture, the 29-year-old has been, in a word, immense. A grafter who puts his body on the line, as carrier and defender, Tecklenburg is another one of the unsung heroes of this team.

Jaco Kriel

It is quite unbelievable that the openside flanker (25) hasn’t been playing Test rugby for years. He’s been involved in everything the Lions have done this year, his explosive power and speed making him the form flank in the competition. A leader and powerhouse figure.

Franco Mostert

Played virtually every minute of every game he started - and that was 17 matches, his durability and work-rate making him a key member of the squad. Keeps going and going, the 25-year-old got the recognition from the national selectors this year. Tireless as a ball-carrier and defender.

Andries Ferreira

Mostert’s lock mate was under the microscope in the early rounds, but grew into a powerful No 4 who not only took his line-out ball, but also showed he is no slouch getting around the park. At 26 he still has plenty left in the tank and is set to be a stalwart for some time to come.

Julian Redelinghuys

There is no better tighthead prop in the country, period. The 26-year-old has basically got the wood on every loosehead in the competition, Redelinghuys showing time and again that he is the real deal. Power, power, power ... he’s played a huge part in the success this year with his scrumming and general play around the field.

Dylan Smith

Now if ever there was a player who’s made an impact in a very short time it’s the 22-year-old loosehead prop. He was some way back in the queue last year, but has blossomed into one of the best No 1s in the competition. Unsung, he has had the measure of far more experienced tightheads this year.

Corne Fourie

The 27-year-old has become part of the furniture at the Lions he’s been around for so long - or so it seems - but a true team-man, filling a spot on the bench for most of his time at the franchise. Excellent back-up player and someone the coach has relied on heavily this year when injuries have hit his team.

Jacques van Rooyen

Another true stalwart of the Lions, the utility prop has been around for a while and got another chance in the matchday squad when Ruan Dreyer got injured early on. Versatile and dependable, the veteran of the team at 29, he’s played his part big-time this season.

Malcolm Marx

Wow ... what a season it’s been for the man his coach described as being “good enough to take over from Bismarck du Plessis.” Marx has been excellent in every department and at 22 has a wonderful future ahead of him for the Lions and the Springboks. Not only strong, but a ball-carrier of note and plays like a loose-forward.

Akker van der Merwe

The “angry warthog”, according to Nick Mallett, has again been exceptional as a back-up to Marx, coming on and making a big impact with his strong runs and aggression at the rucks and mauls. The 25-year-old has scored some stunning tries and is hugely valued by his teammates. Others who played regularly this year:

Cyle Brink

Another Super Rugby rookie, the 22-year-old got a chance, and grabbed it. He filled in for both Whiteley and Kriel and made a big impression with his pace and ball-carrying. Sadly missed out on the squad for final through injury, but a great season.

Lourens Erasmus

The towering lock, 23, made only a few brief appearances, but he made them count, scoring a few tries and playing his part in the Lions making the final. Excellent in the line-outs and just as powerful with ball in hand, Erasmus is one to watch.

Steph de Wit

The 25-year-old came into the squad late in the campaign because of injuries to Whiteley and Brink, the loose-forward gaining valuable experience from spending so much time with the Super Rugby finalists. A bright future awaits him.

Ruan Dreyer

He toured with the Springboks in 2014 and has become a key member of the Lions front row stocks, but sadly picked up a season-ending injury early on and played a limited part in the run to the final. At 25 will still have a big role to play going forward.

Robbie Coetzee

The Springbok tourist also got struck down early on, his progress dented yet again, but the 27-year-old has been involved in everything the Lions have done in building the squad over the last three years. Will come back stronger and more determined.

THE COACHING TEAM

Johan Ackermann (head coach)

The 46-year-old played 13 Tests for the Springboks and was at one stage the oldest man, at 37, to play Super Rugby. He was initially forwards coach under John Mitchell, but took over as head coach in 2013, building the team up from being relegated from Super Rugby the same year. Three years on he is coaching them in a final. He was a losing semi-finalist as a player with the Cats in 2000 and 2001.

Swys de Bruin (assistant coach: attack)

Regarded as one of the best and most innovative attack coaches in the country, the 56-year-old cut his teeth at the Sharks as coach of the junior teams before taking up a position with Griquas. He later returned to Durban to head up the Sharks Academy, but would finally find recognition with the Lions after joining Ackermann at the beginning of the 2013 season.

JP Ferreira (assistant coach: defence)

One of the survivors of the last few years of ups and downs at the Lions, the 38-year-old Ferreira was initially the technical adviser, serving under Eugene Eloff, Dick Muir and Mitchell and became defence specialist alongside Ackermann. He’s a former provincial scrumhalf and knows the Lions set-up back-to-front.

Additional management members

Ivan van Rooyen (conditioning)

David van Wyk (physiotherapist)

Jannie Putter (mental coach)

Mustapha Boomgaard (team manager)

Rob Collins (doctor)

The Star

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