Engelbrecht on Golden Lions bench

New Golden Lions signing and UCT Varsity Cup star, Pieter Engelbrecht, has been named on the bench for Friday evening’s compulsory Currie Cup friendly against the Griffons at the North West Stadium in Welkom.

Engelbrecht played for the Ikey Tigers in the 2008 and 2009 Varsity Cups and was one of Jake White’s first signings when the former Springbok coach was tasked with turning around the Lions after yet another poor Super 14 season.

A powerful presence at centre, Engelbrecht is more than just a ‘crash-‘n-bash’ merchant. In fact, his skills have improved so much since joining UCT from Maties last year, that the 100-kilogram back even played on the wing for the Ikeys during the 2009 WP Super League season.

Joining Engelbrecht in the Lions squad is former FNB Tuks flyer, Johan Jackson, whilst front ranker Wayne Swart was a member of the FNB UJ side in the 2008 and 2009 Varsity Cup seasons.

Jackson, a real try-scoring threat, will start on the left-wing, with Swart warming the bench.

Strong-running centre Walter Venter also played for UJ this season in the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, but he has played for the Lions already – at Currie Cup and Super 14 level, as well as appearing in their midweek match against the touring B&I Lions a few weeks ago.

The Lions team: 15 Michael Killian, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Rouan Cloete, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Johan Jackson, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Wayne Swart, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Barry Goodes, 22 Pieter Engelbrecht.