Lions opt for Varsity Cup flavour

The Golden Lions will rely on a host of Varsity Cup stars as their 2009 Currie Cup semifinal chances go down to the wire this weekend.

The Men from Johannesburg will travel to Durban to take on the defending champion Sharks at the much-vaunted 'Shark Tank' and they will look to the likes of Derick Minnie, Johan Jackson, Walter Venter and Pieter Engelbrecht to lead their charge.

Winger Jackson and flanker Minnie will both be starting for the Lions, whilst Venter and Engelbrecht (pictured, right) will both provide centre and wing cover from the replacements' bench.

Of course, Minnie (UJ, 2008), Jackson (Tuks, 2008 2009), Venter (UJ 2009) and Engelbrecht (UCT, 2008 and 2009) all made a name for themselves in the Varsity Cup at some point and that kind of form and ability will help keep the Lions in contention for a semifinal place.

The Lions are currently in fifth place on the Currie Cup standings with 32 points from 12 matches.

They still have an outside chance of squeezing into the play-offs - provided they win and other results go their way, but a loss in Durban will be the final nail in their Currie Cup coffin.

The Golden Lions team: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Michael Killian, 13 Jannie Boshoff, 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Johan Jackson, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Nico Luus, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Torrie Meyer, 17 Wayne Swart, 18 Willem Stoltz, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Ruan Boshoff, 21 Walter Venter, 22 Pieter Engelbrecht.

Kick-off: 5.05pm - Saturday, October 3