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- Burger Odendaal’s start to his Lions career is already challenging – taking on Springbok star Lukhanyo Am.
- The midfielder has a good reputation in local rugby, but he probably needs this fresh start to show if he has the legs to play international rugby.
- Am quickly expresses that he has great respect for the former Bulls captain.
Odendaal Burger begins his stint with the Lions in possibly the most challenging of fashions: being the direct opponent of Lukhanyo Am, one of the best outdoor centers in the world.
Not that the 27-year-old midfielder is avoiding trying to make his mark against the Sharks in their first Super Rugby Unlocked game at King’s Park on Friday night.
He was one of the more controversial names involved in cleaning up Jake White at the Bulls, having just signed a two-year extension with the franchise earlier in the year, only to be finally told he wasn’t part of the new director. of rugby plans.
While Odendaal might have something to prove to his former “family,” there is a bigger factor at play.
The Monument alumnus needs this fresh start to finally convince himself of his true worth.
Teams:
15 Manie Libbok, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Marius Louw, 11 Werner Kok, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Dan Jooste, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Jeremy Ward, 23 Thaakir Abrahams
Lions
15 EW Viljoen, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vince Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts , 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole
Substitutes: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 MJ Pelser, 21 Hacjivah Dayimani, 22 Morne van den Berg, 23 Gianni Lombard, 24 Wandisile Simelane, 25 Ruan Dreyer
Odendaal has consistently been regarded as one of the most trusted and successful centers in the country, but it was only for a short and productive period under John Mitchell in 2017-18 that it truly seemed to be in the Springbok frame.
It is also revealing that Ivan van Rooyen, the Lions head coach, chose his high-profile recruit in jersey number 13, the position in which Mitchell felt Odendaal was the most effective (if Springbok Jesse Kriel was not available, it’s true).
Van Rooyen hopes the relative familiarity of being paired with another former Bull in Dan Kriel will pay off.
“We are very excited. We had them together for about 20 or 30 minutes against the Pumas last week. They are going to bring something different for us,” he said.
“We are testing them together this week. They know each other quite well since the Bulls days and they played junior rugby together. We have a clear plan of what we want to do and we feel like they can complement each other.”
Sharks patron Am also has a lot of respect for his counterpart.
“As centers we have never played head to head because it was predominantly a 12. But I have great respect for him and I played against him several times, I am looking forward to another battle,” said the Talisman of bok.
“Burger is experienced and also brings leadership to the Lions mix. Because of how he played for the Bulls, he’s a guy who takes on defenders and drives quite well.
“I look forward to it again. It’s a great pair of centers that the Lions have. It’s going to be a physical battle in midfield.”
The start at Kings Park is at 19:00.
