If the Lions' forwards can front up to the Stormers on Saturday, their backline with scrumhalf Morne van den Berg and flyhalf Gianni Lombard at the helm should create magic with any attacking possession they get at Ellis Park.
While the hosts have never beaten the Cape outfit at home (2.30pm kick-off), they come off an extended resting period and key players will return for the second United Rugby Championship (URC) match against their compatriots.
Ready to do this #ForOurCity
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🆚 @THESTORMERS
🗓: Sat, 15 Feb
⏰: 14:30
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After losing the first clash in the Mother City last December without the services of fullback Quan Horn and outside centre Henco van Wyk, the duo’s return for this clash should provide some impetus on the attack.
Horn's lethal running lines from the back and his left kicking boot will be crucial as he aims to continue his excellent form. Van Wyk reunites with partner Marius Louw in the midfield and they will be a handful for the Stormers defenders.
All eyes, though, will be on the scrums where the struggles of the Stormers were laid bare by the Bulls last weekend. The Lions' front row of Asenathi Ntlabakanye, hooker PJ Botha and loosehead Juan Schoeman will be licking their lips at the prospect.
One, two, three, four!
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Who remembers this masterclass from Madosh Tambwe and the Lions in 2018 👏
The Lions host the Stormers in the #VURC on Saturday.
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So too will the loose trio of captain and eighth man Francke Horn, and flankers JC Pretorius and the hard-running Ruan Venter. They would've seen the Stormers' frailties at the breakdown last weekend and will hope to exploit it again.
Behind the pack, scrumhalf Van den Berg and Lombard will orchestrate the attacks which will surely come in waves against their opponents.
"I always back our pack (to dominate) and the boys can do an incredible job on the field," Van den Berg said.
“"But, you can't not have respect for the Stormers' pack. They've always shown dominance.”
"But, you can't not have respect for the Stormers' pack. They've always shown dominance. So, you can't after one game say they will not pitch up. I do back my boys, but I expect them to bring 110%."
On the bench, former Blitzbok and Free State utility back Lubabalo Dobela is in line to make his Lions URC debut.
There is excitement about what he can conjure up when he takes to the field with the home side utilising a five-three bench split in favour of the forwards.
Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Richard Kriel, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Gianni Lombard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Juan Schoeman; Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Manuel Rass.
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