Newly crowned SA Shield winners the Lions welcome Edinburgh to Emirates Airline Park in the URC on Saturday looking to advance their quarterfinal ambitions.
Match context
Cash van Rooyen’s charges are flying high, with their recent SA Shield-clinching wins over the Sharks and Stormers boosting them to seventh-place on the overall standings – higher than they have ever been at this stage of the season.
With eight points separating them from the home semi-final berths, one would think the ever-ambitious Pride will be going all guns blazing from here on out in order to secure that elusive top four spot. All things considered, their failed EPCR Challenge Cup campaign now looks set to work in their favour as the URC season enters its final stretch, with all focus on the run-in.
The Lions have seven matches left, with the next five coming successively at home. If they can capitalise on that run, they will be in a commanding position by the time they face giants Leinster and Munster in Ireland in May.
The assignment this week is Sean Everitt’s Edinburgh, a side currently placed 12th following their disappointing 19-40 defeat at home to Ulster last week. Trailing the top eight by seven points, they will have plenty of work to do in the weeks ahead if they are to effectively come from nowhere and put themselves in contention for the quarterfinals.
Given their next three matches are all away to the Lions, Stormers and a draining clash at Leinster (in the Champions Cup round of 16), their draw won’t be doing them any favours and they’ll require an almighty effort to remain relevant post-season.
The Lions have won three of the last five meetings between the sides in all competitions, with the Joburgers having claimed a 55-21 victory in this fixture last season. What will work in the visitors’ favour this week will be the fact that they were in action so recently, with the hosts having last played against the Stormers at the end of last month and potentially susceptible to some rustiness.
Players to watch
Ruan Venter (Lions)
When addressing the media this week, the 23-year-old bruiser spoke candidly about the concussion and injury trouble he’s endured which has limited him to just two matches this year. Now ostensibly back in action and rearing to go, Venter will certainly be one to keep an eye out for as his franchise pushes for that coveted knockout spot.
Expect the rugby-starved back five forward to be highly involved come kick-off in Johannesburg with his characteristic physicality and dynamism on show.
Boan Venter (Edinburgh)
The Springbok prop will be joining the Lions next season and would oh so love to lay down a marker at his future home ground this weekend. The 28-year-old is likely to front up against Bok teammate Asenathi Ntlabakanye at scrum time and a standout showing in this facet of play would certainly endear him to Lions fans, who are surely salivating at the thought of their front row combination next term.
With Edinburgh’s campaign effectively hanging on by a string at this point, the Scottish club will need its internationals to stand and deliver on the highveld, and Venter is no exception.
Tactical overview
The Lions’ supreme knowledge of the highveld conditions will again be a major advantage for them against a Scottish club that has struggled at altitude in the past. While it remains to be seen just how many Six Nations internationals will be available for selection, Edinburgh would greatly benefit from having as much experience as possible in that final quarter.
Key for the away aide will be keeping pace with the Lions in the opening half because there is always the danger that they will run out of gas the longer the game goes on. Given the Lions’ penchant for non-stop attack and scoring tries from all over, a good head start for them could be fatal to Edinburgh’s hopes in the latter stages of the contest.
The aforementioned scrum battle between Ntlabakanye and Venter will definitely make for great viewing, but the game could come down to whichever defence is most sharp on matchday. At a ground where runaways tries are the norm, defensive organisation and focus will be key, especially for the tourists.
Ultimately though, the Lions should be able to put aside any minor rust and continue their upward trajectory.
Prediction
The Lions to maintain their momentum and see off the Scottish club convincingly, clearing the handicap in the process.
