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World Cup winners name their alternative Southern Hemipshere 'Lions' XV
By Jon Newcombe
Now that the Guinness Six Nations is over for another year, attention has quickly turned to the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, from June 20th to August 2nd.
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After discussing the various merits of the players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, the Boks Office cast of RWC 2007 winners, Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger, and host, the former Springbok hooker, Hanyani Shimange, took it upon themselves to choose an alternative southern hemisphere ‘Lions XV’ at the end of this week’s episode.
Starting with the front five, Shimange, who won nine caps between 2004 and 2006, went exclusively South African other than to pick Tyrel Lomax as his tighthead. Joining the All Black in the front row are Ox Nché at loosehead and Malcolm Marx at hooker.
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Shimange’s second-row pairing combines the Springboks’ most-capped player, Eben Etzebeth, with the formidable RG Snyman.
With the baton handed over to Schalk Burger, the former Springbok captain and flanker went for two All Blacks in his back row.
Wallace Sititi, who is currently recuperating from knee surgery, is selected at blindside. Sititi enjoyed a remarkable 2024, which started with his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs against the Reds in March and ended with him collecting the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award eight months later. However, that did not stop Burger from initially confusing him with Hoskins Sotutu!
Burger went with All Blacks superstar Ardie Savea to anchor the scrum at number eight, while another World Rugby Player of the Year winner, Pieter-Steph du Toit was chosen as his openside.
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Burger then moved into the backs and chose to pair up the electric Grant Williams with the Bulls’ returnee and two-time World Cup winner, Handre Pollard.
It was then left to his fellow RWC 2007 winner, Jean de Villiers to pick the midfield and the back three. De Villiers went for a more eclectic mix with the All Blacks’ try-scoring machine, Will Jordan, on one wing, and South Africa’s Rugby Player of the Year Cheslin Kolbe on the other and the side-stepping Puma Juan Cruz Mallia at fullback.
The uber-consistent Damian de Allende got the nod at 12 before de Villers made what Burger described as “a big call” by going for four-test Wallabies rookie, Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, who made a big impression in the Autumn Nations Series after being fast-tracked into the team following his decision to cross codes. When questioned by Shimange, de Villiers said: “I’m selecting him for that unknown factor.”
The Boks Office alternative Southern Hemisphere ‘Lions’ XV
- Ox Nché (South Africa)
- Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
- Tyrel Lomax (New Zealand)
- Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- RG Snyman (South Africa)
- Wallace Sititi (New Zealand)
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
- Grant Williams (South Africa)
- Handre Pollard (South Africa)
- Will Jordan (New Zealand)
- Damian de Allende (South Africa)
- Joseph-Akuso Suaalii (Australia)
- Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
- Juan Cruz Mallia (Argentina)
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Soooo - 10-man rugby and kick the leather off the ball? yawn!
9 South Africans … bit biased i’m thinking
Interesting team. Would love to see it in operation against the Northern hemisphere in a 4 match home and away series.
Will Jordan on the left wing?
Strong team change out Williams for Roigard
Absolutely no issues with the forward pack, especially those excellent South African forwards. But the backs could be improved! DMac and Kriel deserve their spots.