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Lions to face Stormers without “captain fantastic” Warren Whiteley

Andries Coetzee says they still feel captain Warren's presence when they play.
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The Lions are determined to continue with their good track record when they take on the Stormers in a Super Rugby match at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday. The side has been the most consistent of the South African sides this season. The Gauteng outfit is second on the combined log behind the Crusaders.

Coach Swys de Bruin has made seven changes to the team that will travel to Cape Town. The Lions will again be without their inspirational captain Warren Whiteley, who is still troubled by a knee injury.

However, Springbok Fullback Andries Coetzee, says their captain still has a lot of influence from the side-lines.

“Warren is a very special person, a very special captain but I think Franco Mostert is doing a good job standing in his boots, but we can’t wait to have him back.  He has a big influence still at the union; he is at all the practices and meetings. So he still has some input in all the games so we still feel his presence,” says Coetzee.

On the other hand former Stormers player, Nic Groom, will be returning to familiar territory in Cape Town on Saturday.

Groom says he expects a highly competitive game, because pride will be at stake and the Stormers will want to use their home ground advantage. “It doesn’t matter the circumstances, it doesn’t matter the competition either when South African teams play against each other there’s a lot more emotion, or it’s a way more personal,” says Groom.

 

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