Morgan Bolton
The Lions have made their intentions as pellucid as possible, and upon looking at their match-day 23 for today’s Currie Cup semi-final clash against the Free State Cheetahs at Ellis Park, there can be no arguing what their objective is: Win the clash and earn a home final next weekend.
It is arguably coach Mziwakhe Nkosi’s strongest team this campaign, one that has played with some consistency in the tournament since it started in July. Nkosi has expertly mixed and matched his squad, giving the younger members a go, while bringing the more experienced hands up to match-fitness for the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
Semi-final vibes in Joburg tomorrow.🔥 Check out your match 23 🦁🏉
🆚 @CheetahsRugby
🗓: Sat, 14 September
⏰: 14:30
🎟: https://t.co/b2Hvo478Q9
🏟 : Emirates Airline Park
🏆: @TheCurrieCup#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/1USpbShigS
📢Team Announcement: Toyota Cheetahs vs Fidelity ADT Lions in @TheCurrieCup Semi-Finals@ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/XSjV1oQDaL
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) September 13, 2024
For the clash against the Cheetahs, he has decided to reintroduce some heavy hitters in Springboks Quan Horn and Ruan Venter, as well as Lions squad captain Marius Louw and the hard-hitting Asenathi Ntlabakanye. All of these players have had some game time in the Cup, so it is no surprise that lock Darrien Landsberg predicts nothing will change against the Bloemfontein-based outfit.
Said the 26-year-old, earlier this week: “What we have done up until now, in term of the way we have attacked, defended, stopped mauls and in every aspect of our game, nothing needs to change now that we have gotten into a semi-final.
“We mustn't allow the moment to get too big. It is just another rugby game that we have all played many times before.
“We have been hearing about the URC and Currie Cup sides (but) we train together every single day,” he added.
“It is about guys being able to push each other and having the experience of having those guys with URC caps more than others. It is definitely a confidence boost for us. The guys are all holding each other accountable.
“Our main message from the beginning has been selflessness. Whether you are coming from a URC or Currie Cup set-up, it is just about giving yourself to the team and doing your part.
“If everyone does that, then we should be on the same page going forward to lifting that trophy.”
It is a notion that young scrumhalf Nico Steyn – playing in his first semi-final – agreed with.
“(The play-offs) are not something that we are scared off,” said the 22-year-old.
“It is just another rugby game and we don't want to get too emotional about it ... We have worked hard the whole Currie Cup and this past week, to get a good result this weekend.”
It’s going to be a scorcher today at the 2.30pm kick-off, with the mercury reaching 29°C and Joburg vaulted by a clear, blue Highveld sky. Under such conditions, Steyn is predicting a rugby spectacle.
“It is a semi-final and both teams are aware of that,” he said. “There certainly is going to be more kicking than expected but it will be a fast game.”
His namesake and director of rugby at the Free State Cheetahs, former Springbok legend Frans Steyn, meanwhile, is expecting a big effort from his charges.
“I believe that with the current group of guys,” he said, on the Cheetahs website, “if they decide they want to win and put their bodies on the line, there will always be a positive outcome.
“There’s a good history between the two teams,” he added, “so everyone is looking forward to the game. We know how important it is and certainly don’t take it for granted. We understand what it means for the people of the Free State.”
Earlier in the season, the Lions beat the Cheetahs 38-21 in Bloemfontein, a result that the Doornfontein-based outfit certainly won’t baulk at today.
Fidelity ADT Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (capt), 1 Morgan Naude; Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 JC Pretorius, 21 Siba Qoma, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Kelly Mpeku
Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Evardi Boshoff, 11 Daniel Kasende, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Jandre Nel, 8 Jeandrè Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Schalk Ferreira; Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Friedle Olivier, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 George Lourens, 23 Litha Nkula