The Lions have started the new United Rugby Championship with ruthless efficiency, securing two bonus-point victories in their opening matches.
They comfortably beat a second-string Ulster 35-22 and then demolished Edinburgh 55-21.
The Joburgers arrived in Wales yesterday to start a five-match away tour, which includes a EPCR Challenge Cup clash against the Ospreys.
But first, they will face the Dragons on Sunday (3.30pm kick-off).
Here, Morgan Bolton looks at five players from the Lions’ 29-man touring squad to watch out for...
Asenathi Ntlabakanye
The cult of Ntlabakanye only keeps growing. He hasn’t quite hit his straps during the Currie Cup and so far in the URC, but if he manages to get to similar form of the previous campaign, he will be a force of nature.
He is a powerful scrummager and ball-carrier, and likes nothing more than to flatten attackers with bone-crunching tackles.
“The Dragons have a massive pack,” Ntlabakanye said yesterday, “and they pride themselves in those physical battles.
“It is a huge responsibility for us to deliver quick ball to the backs. Doing that is by either tackling or running over someone. It has been a massive focus for us this week to get that dominance, as well as in the scrum and the lineouts.”
Darrien Landsberg
Highly underrated, lock Landsberg is starting to earn recognition for his consistent performances. The 26-year-old makes fearless plays, and possesses an athleticism that complements the style of the Lions.
He made a nuisance of himself at lineout time against Edinburgh. In Europe, where the set-pieces can be crucial, having such an influence will be as good as gold.
"What has helped him is that he played in the Currie Cup, and it gave him a lot of confidence,“ Lions assistant coach Barend Pieterse said yesterday about the lock’s current form.
“It is something that we have really worked on this season, is on our contesting, and he is that sort of guy that can put pressure on the opposition, particularly on their thrown-ins. He is making the right calls, and he is doing what we ask.”
Sanele Nohamba
An injury to Kade Wolhuter will in all likelihood see Nohamba return to the No 10 channel for the next few games. Gianni Lombard has been selected for the tour group, but will most likely be placed on the bench.
Last season showed how much of a baller the 25-year-old Nohamba is. His territorial kicking up north might be a bit short, but when he gets the backline moving, it will be brilliant to watch.
Henco van Wyk
The centre has had some rotten luck regarding injury. Again, he is recently returned from injury, playing off the bench against Ulster and Edinburgh.
Before his latest injury, Van Wyk was earmarked for a possible Springbok debut, and getting back to that level will be his goal.
He has fierce competition in reclaiming the No 13 jumper, though, as Erich Cronjé has been in fine form. With all due respect to the latter, though, Van Wyk is X-factor, which just cannot be replicated.
Edwill van der Merwe
The objective of the Lions against Dragons is clear: “We have dangerous backs at the moment,” Pieterse explained, “and us as the forwards unit, we need to get good ball to them... We want to score tries.”
Enter the Springboks’ Edwill van der Merwe.
The wing, back from injury, scored a brace of tries upon his return to action against Edinburgh.
The second was a Van der Merwe special as he evaded three defenders, chipped and collected the ball to dive over the tryline.
The Boks have three Tests against Scotland, England and Wales in November, and Van der Merwe has an opportunity to prove to coach Rassie Erasmus he is fit and ready for those matches.