Is there more than meets the eye to Venter not playing for Lions against Connacht?

IT has been suggested in some quarters that there has been dissention in the ranks of the under-siege Lions because of the non-selection of talented flanker Ruan Venter for today’s United Rugby Championship match against Connacht at Ellis Park (4pm kick-off).

- MIKE GREENAWAY

The website Rugby365 has highlighted that one-cap Springbok Venter had an obvious spat with teammate Darrien Landsberg during the Lions’ underwhelming performance against Benetton last week.

According to the report, the disagreement continued in a team meeting earlier this week. Venter, one of the better Lions players, was conspicuous by his absence when coach Ivan van Rooyen named his team to play Connacht on Saturday.

Venter was later named on the injury list, and enquiries were met with the explanation that Venter has a “knee niggle”.

Lock Landsberg has been dropped to the bench. While there is no confirmation of the Lions players turning on each other, it would be no surprise, given the growing criticism of the team. The Lions are on a five-game losing streak, and only a mathematical miracle will prevent them from not making the URC top eight for the fourth year in succession.