'If it ain't broke don't fix it' for the Lions

The Fidelity ADT Lions have stuck to the same match 23 which did duty against the Suzuki Griquas last week. Having been 37-7 victors on that occasion, the Johannesburg franchise now prepare for a semi-final showdown against the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers at Ellis Park this Saturday. Led by the in-form PJ Botha, the highly anticipated clash between the two sides has a hint of revenge for the Lions after they went down 29-10 in Round 3 of the competition in Wellington.

After a delayed start due to lightening threats in the area last Saturday, Nkosi’s men made their intentions clear against the visiting Griquas with a convincing win which saw them climb to the summit of the Carling Currie Cup log- with that, securing a home semi-final berth, with ambitions of back-to-back home finals.

Commenting ahead of Saturday’s knock-out match, the Lions’ Currie Cup mentor reflected on the previous encounter against the visitors, with a firm belief that they would want a repeat result.

“Boland will be buoyed by their Currie Cup form and after having got a positive result against us in the Boland so no doubt they’ll throw the kitchen sink at us.

“We’ll be prepared and up for it - it’s a home play-off so we fully want to take advantage of home ground conditions,” he concluded.

Nkosi will rely on the performances of key players who have shown consistent form over the past two rounds of the campaign. Last week’s standout player Angelo Davids is amongst those players who have settled well since making the move to Johannesburg. Not far behind is pivot Chris Smith who has, since his introduction, steered the Lions’ attack with intent and experience.

Kick-off in Johannesburg on Saturday is at 5pm.

Fidelity ADT Lions v Sanlam Boland Kavaliers - Saturday @ Ellis Park, Johannesburg (5pm)

Referee: Griffin Colby

Broadcast: SuperSport

Fidelity ADT Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids; Chris Smit, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns; 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom; 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha (capt), 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 15 James Tedder, 14 Xavier Mitchell, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Jayden Bantom; 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Louis Schreuder; 8 Thurlow Marsh (capt), 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Khwezi Mafu; 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Ameer Hendricks; 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Mthokozisi Gumede. Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Erik Lambrecht.