For the Lions, Saturday’s home United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against neighbours the Bulls isn’t just another rugby game … it’s personal.
Both teams are riding high after wins at the weekend that ended a poor run of results. The Lions hammered the Dragons 60-10 at home to secure their spot in the Challenge Cup round of 16. Meanwhile, the Bulls thumped Stade Francais 48-7 in the Champions Cup to also secure their place in the same competition.
However, recent history favours the Bulls, who have beaten the Lions in four of their last five URC match-ups. The Lions' record against other South African teams isn't much better. In their most recent URC match, they suffered a 29-10 defeat against the Stormers in Cape Town.
Lions attack coach Ricardo Loubscher is determined to turn things around and braced for a titanic derby clash, which kicks off at 2.45 pm.
“I think, firstly, it’s a big occasion just to play in a derby, so we try not to make a big thing out of it,” he told a media conference yesterday. “I can sit here and say it’s a normal game, but it’s definitely not a normal game; it’s always personal.
“We try not to make a big thing out of it. Then secondly, it’s just to focus on what we’re doing wrong.”
He added, “The Bulls will bring different strengths, but if we play according to our way, our style, I think we’ll give ourselves the opportunity and hopefully we can throw punches on Saturday.”
Lions’ Bok scrumhalf, Morne van den Berg, echoed his coach's sentiments regarding the importance of the occasion.
“I think it’s massive for us as players. It’s fellow South Africans, it’s guys you know very well, that you play against, and it is personal. It’s the game that you want to do good in, and I think it’s exciting for the public as well,” he said.
Van den Berg further enthused, “It’s very exciting to play a local derby … You are definitely going to see a bit of extra energy, bigger collisions. We’re definitely going to be up for it!”
Loubscher also acknowledged that in past encounters, they often permitted the Bulls and other opposition teams to dictate the pace of the game. However, the Lions were able to impose their style on the Dragons and are confident of delivering another robust all-round performance against the Bulls, with their free-flowing style of rugby expected to shine through.
“Going back to the Dragons, we had a big discussion as coaches,” Loubscher revealed.
“We felt that the last couple of games we went away from that, and some of the learnings from the Stormers game, the Montpellier game, is that we need to play to our strengths to give ourselves a chance.”
He continued, “I think Saturday it will be tough; it’s always tough, and I think if you look at the games we played against the Bulls in the past, it’s always physical, it’s tough, it’s set-piece dominated, and there’s a massive emphasis placed on the kicking game. Hopefully, we can give ourselves a chance and play according to our way, our style.”
The Joburgers will be further boosted by the news that young flyhalf Sam Francis, who had an impressive performance in Saturday’s mauling of the Dragons, will be fit to face the Bulls after limping off in the second half.