Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen said that he expects the Vodacom Bulls' returning Springboks to play a "key role" in their upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) Jukskei derby on Saturday at 14:30 (SA Time).
He acknowledged that the expected return of the Bulls’ "superstars" like Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie makes the Bulls a "very different team" from the one the Lions beat in November 2025.
“Obviously, they’ll be hurting from the result at Loftus. But they’ve got some superstars returning in Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Marcell Coetzee, and mentally they’ll be a very different team after the two results they got overseas. We’ll have to rise to that emotional level and physical level.”
“Last year, we were in front, then Canan and Willie came on, and Canan took the game away from us in the air, and Willie had two X-factor moments, and they scored two tries. The big-moment players tend to come through for them in tough moments.”
Van Rooyen noted the SA Shield is "wide open," with all four teams in contention, making the derby a crucial fixture. The Lions could end the Bulls’ URC Shield dreams if they beat the visitors.
“The SA Shield is wide open. Basically, all four teams are pretty much in it. It’s up to us to control what we can control. Starting with the Bulls this weekend.
He emphasised that success in the match will come down to which team can "execute their respective plans to the best of their ability" under pressure.
“Obviously, both teams have plans, but it’s the team that can execute it under pressure this weekend and hit their strengths more often that will win.”