Koch to lead Royal XV

Platinum Leopards flanker Wilhelm Koch will lead a Royal XV into battle against the British and Irish Lions on May 30.

Platinum Leopards flanker Wilhelm Koch will lead a Royal XV into battle against the British and Irish Lions when the tour gets under way on May 30. The squad unveiled in Johannesburg consists largely of Leopards and GWK Griquas players although all five northern-based provinces, including Pumas, Griffons and Falcons, are represented. 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).