Lions flyhalf, Sanele Nohamba. Image: X/Twitter

URC match preview: Do or die for Lions against Cardiff

The Lions are in their last chance saloon in their quest for a top eight finish when they host Cardiff at Ellis Park on Saturday. Will they stay in the playoff race?

by Mariette Adams

10-05-2024 10:38

in United Rugby Championship

Lions flyhalf, Sanele Nohamba. Image: X/Twitter

With their sights set on Cardiff, the Lions will need to find their roar at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday if they are to stay in the hunt for the URC title.

MATCH PREVIEW

The 11^th placed Lions will want to make up for their defeat against Munster in their last outing when they host the 12^th placed Cardiff, and with the team trailing Benetton by only five log points and the prospect of edging close to a possible playoff spot, they will have all the motivation they need to come away with a home win at on Saturday.

The Lions will also feel particularly confident of getting the desired result against Cardiff, because their home win record this season is far better than that of the Welsh side (the Lions have four more home wins).

The Lions’ attacking statistics will also boost their confidence as they have scored 424 points to Cardiff’s 311, which will also count in their favour as only two points separate the teams in terms of defence.

With the visitors out of the running for a playoff spot, they will, however, be driven by pride – something the Lions will be wary of when they take the field.

The Lions will be favourites, but the Ospreys showed on their recent tour that Welsh teams can no longer be trifled with, even on South African soil.

IT’S ALL ABOUT KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE FOR LIONS

Speaking in a Lions conference in the lead-up to the all-important game, assistant coach Barend Pieterse highlighted the importance of putting in a big performance this week while addressing the team’s inconsistency.

“We need to get as many points out of this week’s game, and then again next week. But the top-eight dream is still alive for us, and that’s genuinely something that we talk about and train for every day,” he told reporters.

“I mentioned it a few weeks ago before the Leinster game, we’re up and down and that’s been our season. Good game, bad game, good game, bad game…

“That’s something we have to look at, and something that needs improvement like yesterday already because if we want to be successful as a union and want to play in the Champions Cup, that’s something we need to be better at.”