Front-row powerhouse Asenathi Ntlabakanye says the Lions are fired up for a set-piece battle against Jukskei rivals, the Vodacom Bulls, in Pretoria on Saturday.
The Bulls have the most dominant scrum in the 2024-25 Vodacom URC, and their powerful maul is a massive challenge for visitors to Loftus Versfeld, yet Ntlabakanye can’t wait to go head-to-head with Jake White’s charges.
“We are very excited to face the best scrummaging pack in the competition,” the 25-year-old said in a Lions conference on Tuesday. “We are looking forward to challenging ourselves against guys who have played at the highest level.
“When you play against the Bulls as a forward pack, you know it’s going to be a tough day. We are well aware of what is coming this weekend and are refining our set piece.
“We know it’s their strong point but it’s also one of ours. We are proud of it and we have been really focused on that. As a unit they operate very well at the scrum. We have to nullify that, stick to our system and do what we are good at. Hopefully we can match them.”
The Sharks’ bonus-point victory at Loftus last week was a first defeat at home for the Herd in the URC this season, and Ntlabakanye insists that the Pride will be ready for a riposte.
“We know what Loftus means to the Bulls, it’s their home ground,” he said. “It’s a tough place to go and play, regardless of their result against the Sharks.
WATCH: Sharks frenzy lights up Loftus
“We don’t see them as vulnerable. The Bulls are on the back of a loss but we are expecting a reaction.
“We know they are going to want to rectify that against us this weekend. We have to be at our best and play our rugby and try to be better than last weekend.”
Ntlabakanye has been invited to his second Springbok alignment camp at the end of March, as one of 16 uncapped players and eight Lions representatives in a 56-man group.
“It’s a good thing to be recognised,” the tighthead prop said. “I believe that if we do well as a team then individuals will get rewarded to go to such camps.
“I’m looking forward to it. Having gone last year I learned a few things. I’m excited to go back and learn more to hopefully grow my game.
“For me, it’s about doing well for the Lions first but my goal is to play for the Springboks. Hopefully, as a team we can succeed and that will allow individuals to fly the country’s flag high.
“We drive each other a lot. Last year there were three or four guys in the Bok set-up. That motivated us to really do better as individuals and achieve what they achieved,” Ntlabakanye added.
“To have more guys in the camp is great for the group and hopefully next time, we can have even more.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi Gallo Images
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Front-row powerhouse Asenathi Ntlabakanye says the Lions are fired up for a set-piece battle against the @Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday. #URC
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