Talismanic Springbok Ruan Venter shifts back to his more familiar loose forward role as the Lions look to continue their impressive charge in the Vodacom URC.
Lions assistant coach Jaque Fourie believes the Johannesburg side have finally found their identity ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster showdown against Leinster in Dublin.
The third-placed Lions are also still trying to steal a potential home playoff advantage if they win their last two matches [against Leinster and Munster] on the road.
MORE: Leinster wary of roaring Lions
Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has largely kept faith with the core group that has powered the side’s impressive recent run, making only minor adjustments to his matchday squad.
Lock Etienne Oosthuizen returns after missing the clash against Connacht, which allows Venter to shift back to flank.
Fourie said the Lions’ strong home form has helped build belief within the squad.
“For us now, I think we’ve had four or five big results at home, that has built a lot of confidence,” Fourie explained.
“But that’s what you need when you come to Leinster to play them.”
The former Springbok centre believes clarity around the team’s style has been key to their resurgence.
“We’ve found our identity. We know how we want to play. We know what we need to do on Saturday to win and to beat Leinster.”
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Fourie added that the Lions’ defensive system has become a major attacking weapon.
“We’re using our defence as a weapon to go score tries,” he said.
“For us, it’s all about putting teams under pressure, getting the ball back and then converting that pressure into points.”
Saturday’s match will also mark a milestone occasion for centre Richard Kriel, who makes his 50th appearance for the Lions.
LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Erich Cronje, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Bench: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Kelly Mpeku.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post Venter back to flank as Lions aim to breach the Aviva appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Talismanic Springbok Ruan Venter shifts back to his more familiar loose forward role as the Lions look to continue their impressive charge in the Vodacom URC.
The post Venter back to flank as Lions aim to breach the Aviva appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
