Russell Winter expects storm against Lions
Winter praised Johan Ackermann's side's back row and scrummaging arsenal, but made it known that the Cape Town-based outfit won't hold back in any facet.
"They attack the ball a lot but I think that's a general thing in Super Rugby," said Winter.
"You have to create those turnovers, their loose trio works really hard for the ball and we try to do the same, it'll be a fascinating contest between the six of them and I think it'll be a good one to watch. They've also got a good scrum and so do we so it's going to be a great contest."
With all of the Cape Town-based side's loose forwards putting their hands up for a place in the starting XV, Winter believes their back-row resources favour their rotation policy and motivates their charges to perform.
"It's great because no matther who the competition is you have to rotate your players and I think everybody is showing it, so you've got to give guys a chance. I think they embrace it as well and understand it's what needs to be done for us to be at top form every week."
When asked about their team selection for the the Ellis Park fixture, Winter added: "The way you want to play will determine who you choose. We want to play ball in hand, so for us the more we have players running with the ball the better.
Winter also maintains that their injury list isn't a great cause for concern, and that the players provinding cover, in particular lock JD Schickerling, have done well.
"I think we're fine. Eben (Etzebeth) is still a while away, about for weeks, Jaco (Taute) and Robert (du Preez) as well. No one's around the corner."
"Our systems stay the same. JD (Schickerling) was lucky to work with Eben when he was there, it's nice for JD to get a chance because he's been working hard, but in saying that Eben was a massive knock. I have a lot of respect for what he does for the team, but we just have to keep believing in our systems and chip away with it."
In terms of limiting the Lions attacking opportunities, centre Damian de Allende, who on Saturday played in his first Super Rugby game this season after an injury layoff, believes that slowing down the game and contolling the tempo will give them a chance to top the hosts.
"I think if we can somehow slow their ball down effectively at the breakdown then I think we have a good chance of keeping up with them. They're a momentum-based side but I think if we can get our momentum going on attack then we can also be destructive"
De Allende had an unconventional response when asked about his injury.
"I think sustaining an injury at that time maybe helped my career and helped me to get my mind off rugby and enjoy myself off the field a bit and just to get away from it for a few months," said the Spingbok midfielder.
"It's nice to be back and I'm 100 percent focused again. I felt good after the Jaguares game, obviously I was a bit stiff and I had to get used to the contact again, but it was nice to be off the bench for 35 minutes."
