The 'SIMBA CHIPS' 'LION KINGS'

The mere suggestion of merging the two teams (Lions & Kings) calling them The Lion Kings and getting Simba chips as the sponsor will probably get me shot.  In reality however the mere logistics surrounding such a merger makes it highly improbable and the intense 'hatred', 'mistrust' (call it what you want) between the two teams make it impossible. 

The two teams are now competing in the promo/relegation playoffs which is most likely a winner takes all scenario. Keeping all the rumors of last year in mind that all the Lions players will be joining the Kings, maybe the same scenario just in reverse could happen after the last promo/relegation game this coming Saturday. Since the promo/relegation is now a hot topic I thought combining a squad of the two teams could maybe make for some friendly debate between the two franchise supporters by comparing players and positions as I feel the two teams are pretty evenly matched...

Combining the 2013 squads of the two teams could give us an idea of what a '5th' squad could look like if the two teams combine under the Lions flag next year. (this is unlikely as I am sure players will be contracted by different unions and some have already indicated that they are leaving).  This team doesn't look to bad on paper, don't think they would have taken the competition or qualified for the playoffs but would certainly have surprised a few teams and made for some entertaining rugby.

SQUAD OF 30 (2 players per jersey)
1) JC Janse van Rensburg / Kevin Buys
2) Bandise Maku / Martin Bezuidenhout
3) CJ van der Linde / Schalk Ferreira
4) Steven Sykes / Hendrik Roodt
5) Franco van der Merwe / David Bullbring
6) Cornell du Preez / Jaco Kriel
7) Derrick Minnie / Wimpie van der Waldt
8) Jacques Engelbrecht / Warren Whiteley
9) Michael Bondesio / Shaun Venter
10) Elton Jantjies / Demitri Catrakillis
11) Deon van Rensburg / Michael Killian
12) Andries Strauss / Dylan des Fountain
13) Ronnie Cooke / Waylon Murray
14) Sergeal Petersen / Michael Killian
15) Jaco Taute / SP Marais

COACHING TEAM:
Director of rugby: Alan Solomons
Head Coach: Johan Ackerman

Players on the fringe: Luke Watson, Darron Nell, Nicolaas Hanekom, Ruan Combrinck, Hannes Franklin and a few more.


If there are players that I did not mention that you feel deserves a spot - leave a comment and I will consider your suggestion for my Simba Chips Lion Kings team.