The Fidelity ADT Lions have stuck to the same match 23, which did duty against the Suzuki Griquas last week. Having been 37-07 victors on that occasion, the Johannesburg franchise now prepares for a semi-final showdown against the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers at Ellis Park this Saturday at 17:00 (SA Time). Led by the in-form PJ Botha, the highly anticipated clash between the two sides has a hint of revenge for the Lions after they went down 29-10 in Round 3 of the competition in Wellington.
After a delayed start due to lightning threats in the area last Saturday, Nkosi’s men made their intentions clear against the visiting Griquas with a convincing win, which saw them climb to the summit of the Carling Currie Cup log, securing a home semi-final berth and ambitions of back-to-back home finals.
Commenting ahead of Saturday’s knock-out match, the Lions’ Currie Cup mentor reflected on the previous encounter against the visitors, with a firm belief that they would want a repeat result.
“Boland will be buoyed by their Currie Cup form, and after having got a positive result against us in the Boland so no doubt they’ll throw the kitchen sink at us.“
“We’ll be prepared and up for it, it’s a home play-off, so we fully want to take advantage of home ground conditions,” he concluded.
Nkosi will rely on the performances of key players who have shown consistent form over the past two rounds of the campaign. Last week’s standout player, Angelo Davids, is among those players who have settled well since making the move to Johannesburg. Not far behind is pivot Chris Smith, who has, since his introduction, steered the Lions’ attack with intent and experience.
Fidelity ADT Lions: 1. SJ Kotze, 2. PJ Botha (c), 3. RF Schoeman, 4. Dylan Sjoblom, 5. Ruan Delport, 6. Jarod Cairns, 7. Ruan Venter, 8. WJ Steenkamp, 9. Nico Steyn, 10. Chris Smit, 11. Angelo Davids, 12. Richard Kriel, 13. Henco van Wyk, 14. Kelly Mpeku, 15. Quan Horn. Replacements: 16. Franco Marais, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Sebastian Lombard, 19. Darrien Landsberg, 20. Renzo du Plessis, 21. Haashim Pead, 22. Lubabalo Dobela, 23. Rynhardt Jonker.