Lions vs. Edinburgh preview: SA Shield winners to continue riding high
· The South African
The Lions host Edinburgh on Saturday with the playoffs firmly in their sights after winning the SA Shield for the first time in their history.
Back-to-back victories over the Sharks (34-22) and Stormers (24-10) have sent the Lions to seventh on the overall standings, the highest they have been at this stage of a URC season. The SA Shield belongs to them for the first time, and the mood at Ellis Park has not been this good in years.
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Ivan van Rooyen’s side have four more home games before a challenging tour to face Leinster and Munster in Ireland in May. If they capitalise on that home run, the Lions could head into their overseas games with a genuine top six position to protect. The goal that once seemed distant – a first playoff appearance – is now a realistic target.
Their failed EPCR Challenge Cup campaign has, in hindsight, become an advantage: the Lions have been able to focus exclusively on the URC at a time when rivals have split their attentions. Against Edinburgh on Saturday, that focus must continue.
EDINBURGH STRUGGLING ON THE ROAD AND AT ALTITUDE
Sean Everitt’s side arrive in Johannesburg in 12th place, having suffered a 40-19 home defeat to Ulster in their most recent outing. They have won just once in their last five matches across all competitions and trail the top eight by seven points.
Edinburgh have historically struggled at altitude on the highveld and face a punishing schedule in the weeks ahead, with away trips to the Lions, Stormers and then a Champions Cup round-of-16 clash at Leinster to follow. They will need near-perfect execution to remain relevant in the playoff conversation, and Saturday’s assignment in Johannesburg represents a difficult starting point.
Nevertheless, one subplot that adds flavour to the occasion is the presence of loosehead prop Boan Venter in the Edinburgh squad. The Springbok prop is set to join the Lions next season and will be eager to make an impression at his future home ground.
LIONS AND EDINBURGH PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ruan Venter has spoken candidly about the concussion and injury troubles that limited him to just two appearances this season. The 23-year-old back-five forward is set to return with considerable hunger, and his physical carrying and dynamism will be exactly what the Lions need to set the tone in Johannesburg.
The scrum battle between Edinburgh’s Venter and Lions tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye will be worth watching closely. A strong showing from Venter would only heighten anticipation among Lions fans looking ahead to next season’s front-row combination.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Lions’ major challenge on Saturday is the one that has repeatedly tripped them up over the years: dropping points in matches they are expected to win. Edinburgh are not a team to be taken lightly – they have only conceded one away defeat of more than eight points all season – but the Lions have the quality to handle them.
Defensive organisation will be the Edinburgh game-plan: prevent the Lions from running away with the game early, and rely on the altitude to take its toll in the final quarter. However, an early scoreboard lead for the Lions takes that option away. With Ellis Park behind them and genuine playoff contention driving the squad, Van Rooyen’s side should deliver another convincing home win.
TEAMS
Lions – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Erich Cronjé, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Subs: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Richard Kriel.
Edinburgh – 15 Harry Paterson, 14 Malelili Satala, 13 Matt Currie, 12 Mosese Tuipulotu, 11 Jack Brown, 10 Ross Thompson, 9 Ben Vellacott, 8 Magnus Bradbury (c), 7 Freddy Douglas, 6 Ben Muncaster, 5 Glen Young, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 D’arcy Rae, 2 Dylan Richardson, 1 Boan Venter.
Subs: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 James Whitcombe, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Liam McConnell, 21 Charlie Shiel, 22 Cammy Scott, 23 Piers O’Conor.