Koch to lead Royal XV against Lions

THE British and Irish Lions will face a team made up mainly of players from the GWK Griquas and Platinum Leopards in their opening tour match on May 30. A Royal XV side, which the Lions will face at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng, will be led by flanker Wilhelm Koch.

The team is a composite team which comprises of players from five northern-based provinces: Platinum Leopards, Griquas, Pumas, Griffons and the Falcons. Koch, the Leopards captain, is one of 10 players from his provincial union in the side, while his coach, Chaka Willemse, will be in charge of the 27-man squad.

Dawie Theron, who was in the match 22 for all three Tests when South Africa lost the last series between the two sides 2-1 in 1997, is one of three assistants alongside Jimmy Stonehouse (Pumas) and Oersond Gorgonzola (Griffons).

Theron is currently the head coach of Griquas and 13 of his players have been named, while the other four come from the Pumas.

Coach Willemse missed the chance to play against the 1997 Lions when a hand injury ruled him out of action for the touring team’s encounter against the Pumas.

Royal XV squad – Backs: Russell Jeacocks (Leopards), Colin Lloyd (Leopards), Egon Seconds (Griquas), Bjorn Basson (Griquas), Deon van Rensburg (Leopards), Basil de Doncker (Leopards), Hanno Coetzee (Griquas), Riaan Viljoen (Griquas), Naas Olivier (Griquas), Michael Bondesio (Leopards), Jacques Coetzee (Pumas), Sarel Pretorius (Griquas).

Forwards: Jonathan Mokoena (Griquas), RW Kember (Leopards), Devon Raubenheimer (Griquas), Wilhelm Koch (Leopards), Jaco Bouwer (Pumas), Rynard Landman (Leopards), Rudi Mathee (Leopards), Jacques Lombard (Griquas), Bees Roux (Griquas), Albertus Buckle (Griquas), Dawie Steyn (Pumas), Stef Roberts (Griquas), Rayno Barnes (Griquas), Hannes Franklin (Pumas), Pellow van der Westhuizen (Leopards).