The Lions will have a perfect opportunity to strengthen their bid for a first South African Shield title in the United Rugby Championship (URC) on Saturday afternoon against the Stormers at Ellis Park.
Several mini-battles could shape the contest. The hosts are on a high after a spectacular win over the Sharks, while the Cape side head to Ellis Park (2.30pm kick-off) with no winning momentum following back-to-back losses and a three-week Six Nations break.
We look at the matchups that could decide the SA derby.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu vs Chris Smith
Having the captaincy taken away from him to free himself up to work his magic on the attack could be the best thing for the Stormers’ flyhalf. Feinberg-Mngomezulu will have little added pressure, and he can focus on doing what he does best – disrupting the defence of the opposition. He has a love for doing it at Ellis Park.
Smith has been a consistent presence in the No 10 jersey, and although not the flashiest pivot, he controls the game like few others do. His tactical and defensive kicking boot is his strength; however, he knows how to put his backline into space on the attack.
Morné van den Berg vs Stefan Ungerer
Just like their halfback partners, a lot will hinge on the two scrumhalves from the first kick-off. Bok Van den Berg and his quick service upstaged the Sharks, and he will look to continue that form. His speed on the attack gives his backline options, while his tactical kicking is another excellent option to launch moves from.
Ungerer will have big boots to fill in the absence of Reinach. The Stormers attack thrives on quick possession, and he must give Feinberg-Mngomezulu clean balls for the pivot to strike. But it is the tactical kicking of the No 9 that will come under scrutiny.
Henco van Wyk vs Wandisile Simelane
This duel has the potential to be a blockbuster one. Van Wyk ultimately beat Simelane to the Lions’ No 13 jersey a couple of seasons ago, which forced the Stormers centre to look for greener pastures ever since. Van Wyk is a strong attacker in that midfield; however, his bone-crunching defence is what he is known best for.
Simelane, on the other hand, will look to strike on the attack with his twinkle toes. He will have a point to prove against his former side. His defensive work will come under scrutiny against the dangerous attack of the home team.
Francke Horn vs Evan Roos
They hail from the same school in Paarl and played first team rugby together, so expect the two No 8s to go hard at each other on Saturday afternoon. Captain Horn will have the additional pressure of leading his side into a tricky game, but his calmness, strong ball carrying, and defence could be one of the weapons the team turns to.
Roos will be the spark amongst the Stormers’ forwards. He will be eager to sink his shoulders into some big ball carriers, but it’s his work with the ball under the arm that could provide the attacking platform his team needs.
SJ Kotze vs Sazi Sandi
This is where the scrum battle could be won or lost. It is a vital attacking platform for both sides, and loosehead Kotze has been making a name for himself as a strong scrummager who tames the best of tightheads. His work in loose play is another strong point, and his magical offloads could catch the Stormers defence unawares.
Sandi will have big boots to fill in the absence of Neethling Fouché, but he will look to lay down the law at scrum time. His defensive work across the park will be tested, though, especially against this Lions attack.
