Rugby

Forward battle to the fore for Lions monster Ntlabakanye

The Lions can be assured that they will produce one other upset over the in-form Bulls after beating them at Loftus final 12 months.

Monstrous Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye is fired up for the huge forwards battle that’s set to be waged in opposition to the Bulls of their United Rugby Championship (URC) cross-Jukskei derby at Loftus on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Ntlabakanye can be the greatest participant in each packs and he’s excited to take a look at himself in opposition to certainly one of the finest entrance rows in the URC, as the Lions look to bounce again from two straight defeats, with what can be their second win in a row in Pretoria.

ALSO READ: Lions want to give a ‘little bit more’ in Jukskei derby in opposition to Bulls

However, they may want to be at the very high of their recreation if they need to get the optimistic end result and that can begin up entrance the place they may want to get the higher hand early on.

“You always want to play against the best. It is especially against South African teams that you can measure yourself. The Bulls’ pack is probably the best in the country next to that of the Stormers,” stated Ntlabakanye.

“This week we have been paying a lot of attention to playing with more intensity on Saturday. The Bulls have a very good pack of forwards and so do we. It’s two super (packs) fighting each other and we’re looking forward to this challenge.”

Snapped shedding streak

The Lions’ beautiful 29-25 win over the Bulls at Loftus final 12 months broke a ten recreation shedding streak in opposition to SA groups in the competitors, and since then they’ve been edged 35-33 at house by the Stormers and crushed the Sharks 20-18 for a primary win in Durban since 2017.

So the workforce can be assured that they will produce one other upset over the in-form hosts, with Ntlabakanye admitting that the gamers wanted little or no motivation going into the recreation.

“It is not difficult to motivate us for this match. This is a big derby for us and we all know the game will be won or lost up front,” defined Ntlabakanye.

“If you want your backs to be at their best, you have to be strong up front. We know what lies ahead and we are not afraid of it. We know it’s a big challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”


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