Lions v Griquas - teams and prediction

CURRIE CUP ROUND NINE: Griquas' road to the play-offs has just become a touch more complicated.

The winless Lions have loaded their Currie Cup team with several seasoned United Rugby Championship players - giving them a more grizzled and hardy look for this encounter - moved to the Wits University ground.

The change of venue, along with the fact that the match was brought forward by a day, will certainly cause some discomfort for the visitors.

However, mostly it will be the presence of players like Tiaan Swanepoel, Andre Warner (who will captain the Lions), Carlu Sadie, Jaco Visagie and Jean-Pierre Smith that will give the Lions a real chance of breaking their duck in South Africa's premier domestic competition.

The Lions can also call on the services of World Cup-winning Springbok veteran Jannie du Plessis and utility back Fred Zeilinga from the replacement bench.

A win will not only end the Johannesburg-based team's winless run, but could also dent Griquas' dreams of a place in the semifinals for a second year running.

The Bulls (32 points from eight matches after their Round Nine clash with the Sharks was cancelled) top the standings, followed by the unbeaten Cheetahs (26 from six), Sharks (24 from eight) and Griquas (16 from seven).

The Pumas are just a point further down (15 from seven) and will benefit greatly from a Griquas loss.

(Continue below ...)

 

Philip Lemmer, the Lions' breakdown specialist, said there is a premium on winning for the Johannesburg team.

However, the players also need to show a desire to be part of the union.

"It can take one special moment to convince the coaches or management that a player wants to be at the union," he said, adding that the players must make use of the opportunity.

Lemmer made it clear the battle will be won and lost up front, with Griquas thriving on the work of their forwards.

"If we can control our set pieces and put their set-pieces under pressure, we can blunt their attack," he said, adding that the accuracy of their kicking game will also be important.

He spoke about the senior players added to the squad and their experience in controlling the game.

They also hope that the unfamiliar surroundings of the Wits University stadium will be an ally to the home team.

"It is very similar to our training facility at the Johannesburg Stadium," Lemmer said.

Locks Cal Smid and Junior White, along with replacement Lindo Ncusane have experience of the venue from having played Varsity Cup matches at the stadium.

Griquas coach Pieter Bergh said it is a "very important" game for the visitors, before we go into a three-week break.

"It really is a must-win game for us," Bergh said.

"Our main focus since the [Round Eight loss to the] Sharks was to work on our execution when we enter the opposition 22-metre area and to come away with points.

"We are expecting a very tough match," he said of the influx of URC players into the Lions matchday squad.

However, Griquas also get some experience back.

"Stefan Ungerer is back in the starting team," he said of the seasoned scrumhalf.

"We will rely on his kicking game and experience as we expect a heavy field at Wits, with all the rain that fell in the last few weeks.

"[Loosehead prop] Kudzwai Dube gets his first start of the season.

"He has done really well coming off the bench and deserves to start this game."

Prediction

@rugby365com: Griquas by eight points

Teams

Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 James Mollentze, 11 Zeilinga Strydom, 10 Luke Rossouw, 9 Andre Warner (captain), 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Sibusiso Sangweni, 6 Sasko Ndlovu, 5 Cal Smid, 4 Junior White, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.

Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Banele Mthenjane, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Henk Gouws, 20 Lindo Ncusane, 21 Jurich Classens, 22 Fred Zeilinga, 23 Ngia Selengbe.

Griquas: 15 Rynhardt Jonker, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Luther Obi, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Siba Qoma, 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Niel Otto (captain), 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Simon Westraadt, 1 Kudzwai Dube.

Replacements: 16 Gustav du Randt, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Luyolo Dapula, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Chris Hollis, 23 Ashlon Davids.

Date: Thursday, April 14

Venue: Wits University stadium, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen

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