A refreshed Lions crew is ready for the challenge of the Stormers as the 2 sides go face to face of their United Rugby Championship (URC) conflict at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 4pm).
The Lions had the previous weekend off after their match in opposition to Glasgow Warriors was postponed, and they’re going to now should make it possible for they hit the bottom working from the beginning in opposition to the Stormers.
ALSO READ: Lions can be proud to see gamers crack Bok, SA A squads
“I think it was good for the player’s bodies. But after the Ulster game (which the Lions just lost) the guys were roaring to go against Glasgow,” mentioned Lions assistant coach Jaque Fourie.
“So mentally for them and their bodies they had a good rest, but rugby wise I think it would’ve been great for us to get more momentum going into this game.”
It has been a great season for the Lions to date, with their opening loss in opposition to the Bulls their solely poor end result, whereas they picked up three wins on the highway in Wales and Scotland and made a valiant fightback in opposition to Ulster of their most up-to-date match.
Improved play
They have nonetheless been unable to choose up a house win but and they are going to be keen to try this in opposition to the Stormers, whereas enhancing their play on all fronts in opposition to the competitors defending champs.
“We have been working all-round. We want to improve in our scrums, lineouts, attack and defence. So in all our aspects and if we can get better at that every week and get that stuff right, we can put teams under massive pressure,” defined Fourie.
The Lions may also be excited after three of their gamers, scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba and centre Henco van Wyk, who’re each beginning, and flyhalf Gianni Lombard, who’s enjoying off the bench, have been picked for the SA A facet to tour Europe on the end-of-year-tour.
The Stormers nonetheless are celebrating their very own choices and though it wasn’t anticipated for their Springboks to play, flyhalf Manie Libbok, inside centre Sacha Mngomezulu and eighthman Evan Roos are all beginning for them within the match.
However Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Salmaan Moerat, Deon Fourie and Damian Willemse have all been not noted.
“We prepare every week to play the best. We cannot underestimate any team, even if their Springboks are out. Their second string team is just as good, so we have been preparing as if we are going to face their full strength side,” admitted Fourie.
Source link
