JC Pretorius is set to bolster the Lions' loose trio as they prepare for a massive breakdown battle against the table-topping Glasgow Warriors this Saturday. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: BackpagePix
The timely return of JC Pretorius could be the perfect gambit for the Lions this weekend when they face the table-topping Glasgow Warriors in a massively important United Rugby Championship (URC) encounter.
Former Blitzbok Pretorius has been out of action for several months, but on Tuesday at Johannesburg Stadium, the flanker could be seen running drills and plays with the first team. It seems, then, that the 28-year-old is ready to make his return to the field against the Scottish franchise this weekend at Ellis Park (kick-off 4pm).
Indeed, Lions assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher revealed that Pretorius could have played some weeks ago when the Lions last ran out at Ellis Park in late March.
“He can’t wait to get going,” said Loubscher.
“He was available for the Dragons game. We will see what is needed on the day (regarding Pretorius’ selection). As coaches, it is a discussion between us. It is good to have him back.
"He is ready to go, he is ready to go,” Loubscher reiterated.
Arguably the one area the Lions have battled during this URC campaign is with an out-and-out jackler, and the return of Pretorius against Glasgow could be a major development for the Joburgers. The former defending champions, currently first in the standings and regarded statistically as the best attacking team in the competition, don't muck about with their possession.
They play an enterprising style of attacking rugby, oscillating their expertly paced gameplan to strike at the right moment. It all points to one area that will be crucial this weekend — the ruck — and whoever gets the upper hand there might just walk away with an all-important result.
Enter Pretorius, who was spied training alongside Renzo du Plessis and Sibabalwe Mahashe, and it becomes clear where the battleground this weekend will really be, especially considering Francke Horn and Ruan Venter’s involvement.
“The big focus point will obviously be the breakdown,” Loubscher concurred. “If you watch the Toulon game (in the Champions Cup this past weekend) and their game against us last season, whoever is going to win that battle will be in with a good chance to win the game.
“That is why we are excited about our loosies at the moment,” Loubscher added, “whether it is Siba, Renzo or JC. Our defensive breakdown is probably the area where we feel we can get purchase.”
As mentioned by Loubscher, the last time the Lions faced the Warriors, the outcome descended into a farcical 42-0 defeat. Loubscher and Co, now a bit wiser to the tactics of the visitors, will look to ensure there is no such repeat.
“That first half,” Loubscher said, of that loss last year in March, “they just played us off our feet.
"Part of their DNA is to play with a lot of tempo. They want to speed up play and they want to go through quick rucks … From our point of view, it is really about stopping momentum.
“They are going to come here and they are not going to go away from their DNA. We have to be there for 85 minutes and be in the moment. They will want to speed up the game, while we must force our strengths onto them."
Despite that heavy defeat, the head-to-head against the visitors is quite balanced. Glasgow’s previous visit to the Highveld two years ago ended in a 44-21 defeat. In their 2023 encounter at Ellis Park, the Lions triumphed 35-24.
Meanwhile, a settled matchday 23 is expected to be selected by head coach Ivan van Rooyen later this week. Both Springboks Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Morne van den Berg will be eligible to play.
Bronson Mills, however, will miss the encounter due to an injury sustained against the Dragons. It is expected that Erich Cronje will, therefore, partner with Henco van Wyk in the midfield, with either Richard Kriel or Kelly Mpeku starting on the wing.