Lions prepare for hostile territory as Boland plot to disrupt Currie Cup high-flyers

“There is no way we can be complacent.”

Mziwakhe Nkosi, head coach of the Lions, had that short message for his troops as they head to Wellington in the Western Cape to face Currie Cup newcomers, the Boland Cavaliers, on Sunday afternoon (3pm start).

The Lions are currently second on the official log, jointly on 10 points with the Bulls, after a strong start to the domestic competition, and they will look to keep that winning momentum by bagging another five-point victory.

While the visitors will be outright favourites for the third-round duel, the unpredictability of the Cavaliers, coupled with what should be a fired-up home crowd, could present a serious challenge to the Johannesburg side. That is why Nkosi warned that they can not underestimate their opponents.

He made a couple of injury and illness-enforced changes to his side; however, they are still at full strength.

Lubabalo Dobela is out with the flu and will be replaced by Kade Wolhuter. Regular lock Darrien Landsberg is nursing a head injury, with Dylan Sjöblom slotting in his place. Speedster Rabz Maxwane injured his wrist in the victory over Western Province, and winger Kelly Mpeku takes over from him. SJ Kotze will get a run at loosehead prop alongside tighthead RF Schoeman, while replacement No 3 Stian de Bruyn will make his Currie Cup debut should he come off the bench.

“Our message is that we can’t be complacent after the last two wins and judging from our training this past week, there is not a helluva lot of it,” Nkosi said ahead of the clash.

“The Boland can expect a really fired-up team coming from Joburg.”

Normally, the Boland Stadium can be a daunting place, especially in the summer, but a rainy winter’s weekend is predicted, which could make it a muddy affair. The Lions, though, are prepared for those thick underfoot conditions.

It might impact their normal rugby blueprint, but with the Cavaliers struggling up front, it could potentially be a target for the visitors.

“Fortunately for us, it has rained the last two days in Johannesburg, so we’ve had enough preparation along those lines with a wet ball, and it being slippery and soft underfoot. The hostility is magnificent. People see hostility; we see the opportunity to play in front of a good crowd.

“The Bolanders are being spoiled with excellent Currie Cup games, and they have responded in kind in terms of the numbers we’ve seen (in the stadium), especially against the Cheetahs. We are looking forward to that, and will embrace the passionate fans.

“We’ve been satisfied with our first two performances and bagging the maximum number of points. We needed a really good start, especially with the competition being a single round and us starting at home. We are proud of getting the two wins against the Sharks and Western Province.”

Lions: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Kelly Mpeku, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Raynard Roets, 4 Dylan Sjöblom, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Stian de Bruyn, 19 Johnre Stopforth, 20 Luca Ribbens, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Layton Horn, 23 Bronson Mills.