Lions Betting and Odds

In 2011, the Lions won lots of of fans in Australia and New Zealand for their brand of rugby and after a fantastic 2011 Currie Cup season they will be even better. Coach John Mitchell has taken the same squad from the 2011 Super Rugby tournament through the Currie Cup Final, and into this year. This consistency will pay huge dividends for the Jozi team.

Will it be enough the see them make the playoffs? We don't think so. Good attacks will still unlock their defense as it did last year and a few positions in their team are suspect, most notably scrumhalf. Fans will tall you that the combined team effort will make up for this, but the Super Tournament is unforgiving and over the 16 weeks it shows up any deficiencies.

The Lions could upset the apple cart for the Sharks and Stormers and the fact that the SA conference will be closer than ever in 2012 could be bad for those two teams, who have real championship ambitions.

All odds provided by SportingbetSA - The best SA bookie by a mile.

2012 Lions Squad

Props: Jacobie Adriaanse, CJ vd Linde, Patric Cilliers, Ross Geldenhuys, Wayne Swart, JC Janse van Rensburg

Hookers: Martin Bezuidenhout, Bandise Maku, Edgar Marutlulle

Locks: David Bulbring, David de Villiers, Stephan Greeff, Franco van der Merwe, Hendrik Roodt

Back Row: Cobus Grobbelaar, Derick Minnie, Josh Strauss, Michael Rhodes, Wikus van Heerden, Dries van Schalkwyk, Warren Whiteley

Scrumhalfs: Michael Bondesio, Ross Cronje

Flyhalfs: Burton Francis, Elton Jantjies, Andre Pretorius

Wings: Jannie Boshoff, James Kamana, Lionel Mapoe, Deon van Rensburg, Dylan Des Fountain

Midfield: Joubert Engelbrecht, Doppies la Grange, Waylon Murray

15: Michael Killian, Jaco Taute, James Kamana

Lions Betting Odds

To win the 2011 Super 15: 20/1

To win the South African Conference: 5/1

To reach the semi-final: 3/1

Top SA Try Scorer: Michael Killian: 2/1, Jaco Taute 3/1, Dean van Rensburg 9/2

Prediction and Players To Watch

The Lions will push for a playoff spot but we feel that along with the Bulls, they will fall short. The consolation for Lions fans is that the Cheetahs will be the team in the SA conference to deal with possible relegation. Jaco Taute and Michael Killiian are legitimate Bok contenders and will push the selectors hard. As always, Lions Captain Josh Strauss will be lots of fun to watch for their facial hair and work rate.

All odds provided by SportingbetSA.com - The best SA bookie by a mile.

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