Big Joe raring to go

Springbok Joe van Niekerk will start his new Super 14 adventure for the Lions on the bench against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

Springbok Niekerk rady for impact role

Springbok loose forward Joe van Niekerk will start his new Super 14 adventure for the Lions on the bench against the Cheetahs on Saturday. Van Niekerk, who found himself in limbo after his contract with English club Northampton Saints fell through, was quickly snapped up by coach Eugene Eloff late last year. The Springbok of 48 Tests, who last played for a Johannesburg franchise in 2003, when he turned out for the Cats (an amalgamation of the Cheetahs and the Lions), has clearly recovered from a back injury that ruined his 2007 season. 'Big Joe' - as Van Niekerk is more affectionately known - will have an important role to play in a squad that is currently plagued by injuries to several key players. The other off-season signing in the Lions squad Dusty Noble, from the Sharks, will debut for the Jo-burg-based Super 14 franchise playing on the right wing. While the team is no doubt the strongest that Eloff could produce for this weekend, one can't help but notice the big-names that are missing from that matchday 22. Cobus Grobbelaar takes over the leadership reins at the team, with regular captain Ernst Joubert still struggling with a back injury. Louis Strydom will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders at pivot, in the absence of Andre Pretorius (foot). There is also no Jaque Fourie (groin) in the midfield and no Willem Alberts (knee) at the base of the scrum. Other injuries include prop JC Janse van Rensburg and centre Walter Venter, who are both still struggling with shoulder injuries. The Lions have indicated they will be pulling out all stops to secure victory against the Cheetahs and start their 2008 Super 14 campaign on a positive note, however it might take some doing. Lions:15 Louis Ludik, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Jaco Pretorius (vc), 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 RW Kember, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Gert-Andries van der Merwe, 17 Gavin Williamson, 18 Alten Hulme, 19 Joe van Niekerk, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Earl Rose, 22 Jaco van Schalkwyk