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The Emirates Lions are at home again this weekend, facing Gauteng neighbours the Vodacom Bulls @ 15h30. The Bulls is now three points clear at the top of the table following their demolition job of the Cell C Sharks in the previous round.
One could be mistaken to expect one-way traffic in this Jukskei derby, however, the pack of forwards of the Lions has proven to be matchwinners themselves. Expect a major battle upfront and if the Lions can control the subs of the Bulls we might just be in for an exciting last 10 minutes.
Having lost at home to the DHL Stormers in agonising fashion last weekend, the Emirates Lions are bidding to avoid losing back-to-back matches at Emirates Airline Park for the first time since 2015.
Ivan van Rooyen opted for consistency, with the Emirates Lions mentor making only one injury-enforced change to his team for this match. Len Massyn is coming in for Francke Horn who was injured against the Sharks a week ago..
“Consistency is the main thing for us; consistency in training, consistency in attitude and consistency in team selection," said Van Rooyen.
"We are facing the team at the top of the log and it will be tough. We have a lot of respect for the Bulls."
Another victory for the men from Pretoria would put them on course to finish at the top of the PRO14 Rainbow Cup standings, with two games to follow, at home to the DHL Stormers and away to the Cell C Sharks.
The Vodacom Bulls beat the Lions 22-9 at Loftus Versfeld in the opening round of the Rainbow Cup, and have won 16 of the 22 previous meetings with their neighbours to the south.
The Vodacom Bulls, who will be putting their 100% winning record on the line with a team showing a number of changes from last week, have won the last six matches they have played against the Emirates Lions since losing 38-12 in Johannesburg in Vodacom Super Rugby in July 2018.
Flyhalf Chris Smith returns to the starting line-up in the place of More Steyn who is rested this week.
Apart from Smith’s return, James Verity-Amm gets a start on the wing with Stravino Jacobs dropping to the bench.
The forwards see several changes as Springbok props Lizo Gqoboka and Trevor Nyakane get into the starting trenches in a direct swap with Gerhard Steenekamp and Mornay Smith.
Elrigh Louw returns to the blindside at flank resuming his successful combination with Springbok loose forwards Marco van Staden and captain Duane Vermeulen.
Springbok loose forward Nizaam Carr and utility back Clinton Swart shift up to the bench where they will undoubtedly add a boost in the second half.
“The more we are successful on the pitch, the bigger the target on our back gets,” said Jake White, Vodacom Bulls Director of Rugby.
“The Lions will not be happy with their returns over the first three matches and they will come out hunting this weekend. We need to be effective in playing our brand of rugby and keeping our momentum going.”
Emirates Lions: 15. EW Viljoen, 14. Rabz Maxwane, 13. Wandisile Simelane, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. André Warner, 8. Len Massyn, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. MJ Pelser, 5. Reinhard Nothnagel, 4. Ruben Schoeman, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sti Sithole. Replacements: 16. PJ Botha, 17. Ruan Dreyer, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Willem Alberts, 20. Emmanuel Tshituka, 21. Morné van den Berg, 22. Fred Zeilinga, 23. Manuel Rass
Vodacom Bulls: 15. David Kriel, 14. Madosh Tambwe, 13. Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12. Cornal Hendricks, 11. James Verity-Amm, 10. Chris Smith, 9. Embrose Papier, 8. Duane Vermeulen (C), 7. Elrigh Louw, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Walt Steenkamp, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Johan Grobbelaar, 1. Lizo Gqoboka. Replacements: 16. Schalk Erasmus, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Mornay Smith, 19. Janko Swanepoel, 20. Nizaam Carr, 21. Zak Burger, 22. Clinton Swart, 23. Stravino Jacobs, 24. Jacques van Rooyen, 25. Jan Uys, 26. Muller Uys, 27. Morne Steyn, 28. Keagan Johannes.