VIDEO: Flair by the fistful on display at Cape Town derby
The Lions have slipped in the last few weeks and dropped to No.8 on the United Rugby Championship standings.
They also have a number of key players sidelined through injury.
However, the Stormers don’t regard them as a soft touch and are well aware of the ‘individual brilliance’ the Lions will bring to Cape Town for their URC Round 11 outing on Saturday.
As the South African conference leaders and coming off an impressive 37-27 dismantling of the Bulls, the Stormers will start as outright favourites.
The Lions, in stark contrast, are coming off a humbling 10-37 loss to the Sharks last week and have not beaten any SA franchise in the URC since their win over the Stormers in Cape Town more than a year ago.
Stormers backline coach Dawie Snyman said every domestic derby is ‘personal’.
“The Lions players will definitely want to prove themselves against us,” he said about the factors that would motivate the opposition.
He admitted the ‘tradition’ tradition around the North-South derby, Bulls versus Stormers, adds a bit of spice.
However, they will not underestimate the Lions, as a slip could equate to losing ‘double points’.
Despite their injury problems – with the captain and burly lock Reinhard Nothnagel (ankle), seasoned prop Sithembiso Sithole (knee) and hooker Pieter Botha (fractured nose) all unlikely starters – Snyman believes the Lions still have a solid set piece.
However, it is the “individual flair” that makes the Lions such a threat.
“[Jordan] Hendrikse can drive the game nicely,” Snyman told @rugby365com, adding: “[Sanele] Nohamba is dangerous around the fringes.”
He added the Lions halfbacks have both involved in the Springbok camp at some stage in the last year or so.
“Jordan [Hendrikse] is a great player, with a great future ahead of him.
“He can punish you.
“If you are il-disciplined he can kick for touch and get them [the Lions] into our 22, or get the three points [slot the penalty].
“We will respect that and ensure we don’t give them those opportunities.”
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The backline coach also described the Lions as a team that fights.
“They will definitely come out and prove they are capable of beating us.”
Stormers flyer Leolin Zas also spoke about the ‘individual flair’ on display in the Lions team.
“They have some very exciting players,” Zas said.
“We know what to expect from them,” he said about a team that is second from last in the tournament’s attacking statistics, but always look to play an expansive game.
Turning to his former teammate Edwill van der Merwe, Zas described the Lions flyer as “phenomenal” and a touch “underrated” in South Africa.
“We played together and I know him quite well.
“Edwill is a great player and I rate him very highly.
“But we’re not just going to focus on one player.
“It’s not about the battle between me and him. It’s about the team and we can’t just focus on him only.”
Zas said he is looking forward to helping the Stormers cap off an unbeaten year at home.
The Stormers on Saturday will have the opportunity to cap a memorable 2022 by remaining unbeaten at home, but to do so they will have to stop the team that last beat them in Cape Town, back in December 2021.
“It’s been a great year and it’s always an incredible occasion to play at the Cape Town Stadium. I realised on Friday night again what a big difference the fans make to us – I was so happy with the turnout of around 30 000 people. Our fans are just something else… they just bring out the best of us.
“We’ve been putting in the work and are all excited for Saturday. We cannot wait for it and are looking forward to ending the year off on a high. I know we will pull it off.”
@king365ed
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