Settled Lions ready to bring the heat against Bulls at Ellis Park

The Lions have opted for continuity as they prepare for Saturday afternoon’s eagerly anticipated second Jukskei derby against the Bulls at Ellis Park, naming a largely unchanged matchday squad in a clear show of confidence in their combinations.

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen is backing the same core group that has shown growing cohesion in recent matches for the battle in Johannesburg (2.30pm kick-off). That rhythm and continuity will be key against a resurgent Bulls side known for its physicality and set-piece dominance.

In the forwards, the Lions will again look to match fire with fire, trusting their pack to bring energy in the scrums and at the breakdown, and lineout accuracy. Loose forward Jarod Cairns steps in for fellow ruck specialist Renzo du Plessis in the only change in the pack. His contribution could be crucial at the breakdown.

However, the real battle will be in the front row, and the continuity picked up by loosehead SJ Kotze, hooker PJ Botha and tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye could go a long way in containing their more-fancied Bulls counterparts. This could be the toughest battle up front, and if the home team can stand their man, they’ll be set to pull off a second victory.

The backline, unchanged, offers a blend of pace, power and creativity, with combinations that are starting to click. They know how to find each other on the attack, and there were some creative plays in tough weather conditions in Europe. Returning to the heat and dry conditions of Ellis Park should aid the Lions perfectly.

But how well their backs fare, especially the outside backs of fullback Quan Horn and wingers Angelo Davids and Richard Kriel, will depend on how much space the inside backs create for them. It could be the perfect game for midfielder Henco van Wyk to make another statement on the attack.

Maintaining defensive alignment and discipline will also be crucial, though, particularly in the red zone, and Van Wyk and inside centre Bronson Mills will be key tacklers for the home team.

On paper, this is a team that has plenty of potential and the ability to upstage the Bulls for a second successive game. While the Bulls are without key players through injuries, the Lions are mature enough to know that they can’t afford to lower their intensity. They must put pressure on the Bulls’ strong points to generate an advantage.

“I think five points are on the line,” Van Rooyen said in the build-up to the game.

“Both teams are desperate for points. Considering the nature of the game and the expected temperatures, tries will be scored. They have plenty of Springboks, and we have a lot of hungry young guys. It will be a good clash.

“We must just stay in the moment.”

Lions XV

15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Erich Cronje.