10/02/2008 22:13

Liam Del Carme

Johannesburg - It's not the way Eugene Eloff would have chosen to start the Super 14 rugby competition but the Lions coach is not despondent about the number of injuries that have hampered his side's preparations.

The Lions begin their campaign without their captain, Ernst Joubert, when they take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday. Promising young loose forward Willem Alberts is also unavailable.

Hooker Ethienne Reynecke, lock Anton van Zyl and scrumhalf Jano Vermaak are also on the list of injured players.

Eloff says Joubert and Alberts will be out of action for about three weeks. However, the coach has no time for self-pity.

"We've been told that Ernst could be out for between two and six weeks but I think it will probably be three weeks," Eloff said at the weekend.

"I am obviously disappointed that we cannot select those players but others now have an opportunity to show what they can do."

Because of the problems, he can also look at combinations that he may not have considered had everyone been fit.

"I may pick an interesting team for Saturday but I don't want to say much about it now," he said.

Eloff did indicate that he was considering the possibility of employing lock Franco van der Merwe as one of the loose forwards.

It will be strengthen the Lions' lineout and will lend extra solidity to the pack.

Springbok loose forward Joe van Niekerk is also fully fit and will be in the squad that will travel to Bloemfontein on Friday.

"Joe is a hundred per cent," Eloff said. "But he will be on the bench. I won't consider him for the starting lineup; I won't throw him to the wolves."

If Van Niekerk can reproduce the form that made him a Springbok in 2001 the Lions could be a force. However, it remains to be seen whether the injuries he has suffered have curtailed his ability to make an impact.