Lewis skips into Lions equation
Talented UJ fullback Earl Lewis will make his first Currie Cup appearance for the Xerox Lions when they host the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup match at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday.
Lewis, a thrilling runner, has been named to start at fullback, along with two other Varsity Cup stars - inside centre Pieter Engelbrecht (formerly of UCT) and winger Johan Jackson (an ex-Tuks star).
Loose forward Derick Minnie, who started in last week's 20-25 loss to Western Province, has dropped down to the bench once again. Minnie played in the 2008 Varsity Cup for the University of Johannesburg.
"I'm very, very happy to have been included in the team," Lewis told www.in-site.co.za. "I've been training with the Currie Cup team this whole season and, now, to finally get my chance is a huge moment for me."
Lewis, 22, was a standout for the Varsity Cup-sponsored SA Universities team in two matches against a Collegiate side from America earlier this month. He scored a hat-trick of tries in both matches (read more here & here), ripping the Americans' defence apart with his deadly footwork and clinical running lines.
"I think the Lions coaches must've seen me play, or heard about my performances, in those games," said Lewis, who is also a more than handy goalkicker.
"After those two games (for the SA Universities team) I found myself getting closer and closer to the (Lions) matchday squads - it was a big boost for me and I knew I just had to continue doing my best at training and that my time would come."
Well, his time has certainly come and he has declared himself "100% ready" as he gets set to wear the Lions No.15 shirt for the first time in a Currie Cup fixture.
"Not even in my wildest dreams would I have imagined making my debut for the Lions against the Blue Bulls in a Currie Cup match at Coca-Cola Park," he admitted. "My plan was always to make the Currie Cup team this year, but I never imagined I would be chosen for a big game like this!
"But I'm really looking forward to the occasion and I'll be going out there to do my best and in the process (hopefully) secure a regular spot in the team."
Whilst Lewis's obvious strength is his running game - given his Sevens background and superb performances in the Varsity Cup - he realises that his attacking style of play might just have to give way to a slightly more pragmatic approach come Saturday.
"There is obviously a lot at stake (on Saturday) and the Currie Cup will certainly be a step up for me," he said.
"I have a lot of faith in my kicking game and I'm lucky being able to kick off both feet. But if I get a chance and it's on to run, I will give it my best shot. In rugby it's all about choosing the opportunity to strike with ball in hand or putting boot to ball when you have to."
The Lions team: 15 Earl Lewis, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Alwyn Hollenbach, 12 Pieter Engelbrecht, 11 Johan Jackson, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Derek Harwood, 17 Kevin Buys, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Derick Minnie, 21 Doppies la Grange, 22 Ruan Boshoff.
Kick-off: 5.05pm