The Lions stay the one South African staff to have ever crushed the DHL Stormers at Cape City Stadium, and so they should repeat this piece of historical past to create extra historical past in reserving their first journey to the Vodacom URC playoffs.
The Stormers’ dwelling debut within the competitors was spoiled when the Lions comfortably beat the eventual champions 37-19 in December, 2021.
Stung by the outcome, the Stormers have since turned their enviornment right into a bunker, having misplaced a complete of 4 URC matches within the shadow of Desk Mountain, and so they head into the ultimate spherical of the 2023-24 league section having already certified for the final eight.
Three-time Tremendous Rugby finalists, the Lions have but to qualify for the URC playoffs. Ivan van Rooyen’s prices are at the moment in ninth place and, although they can’t overtake the Stormers (fifth) on the standings, a well-known win in Cape City on Saturday will catapult them into the quarter-finals, lifting them above whoever loses when Benetton (eighth) host Edinburgh (seventh).
The Stormers should have the claw marks to indicate for a season-opening 35-33 victory at Ellis Park that noticed the Lions combat again from a 20-point half-time deficit to chase the Cape facet to the ultimate whistle.
Talking within the buildup to this week’s rematch, Lions assistant coach Jaque Fourie acknowledged the problem that awaits within the Mom Metropolis.
Considered one of many best centres of his era, the 2007 Springbok World Cup winner was a strong presence in midfield for the Lions and Stormers throughout a adorned 15-year profession.
“We all know what’s at stake; we have now to get a win, and a win with a bonus level could be even higher,” Fourie stated. “That’s simply the crux of the scenario.
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“Everyone knows that each time your again is in opposition to the wall and also you’ve acquired nothing to lose then you definately’re a harmful staff.
“We don’t thoughts going into this sport as underdogs [but] the best way that we’ve been taking part in the final three or 4 video games we’ve acquired a number of confidence and hopefully we simply proceed with that confidence on Saturday.”
Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, who has scored 5 tries in 17 appearances within the 2023-24 URC, is relishing the chance to enter the den of the inaugural champions.
“Clearly the Stormers have been superb at Cape City Stadium,” he defined.
“For those who look deeper into it we will take a little bit of confidence from that win [in 2021-22] however at this stage we’re going to take a look at ourselves and what we have to do.”
Inspirational Lions playmaker Sanele Nohamba can be key to an upset win, understanding {that a} high efficiency can solely enhance his probabilities of a call-up to the Springbok squad to face Wales at Twickenham on 22 June.
Nohamba’s transition from scrumhalf to flyhalf has been on the centre of the Lions’ success this season, directing site visitors but in addition increase his resume as a high quality goal-kicker.
The 25-year-old is sixth on the present main points-scorers standings within the URC with 101, incomes the respect – and a cautious eye – of the competitors’s high sharpshooter in back-to-back campaigns, Stormers pivot Manie Libbok.
“The Lions have high quality gamers of their staff and they’re going to come out right here to provide it a correct crack, with it being the final spherical and an opportunity for them to get into the playoffs,” Libbok stated.
“I’m stoked with how Sanele’s going and am pleased for him. You may see that he’s having fun with his rugby. I’m simply trying ahead to the sport and doing the job I’ve to do.”
Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Pictures
