This weekend, the Lions will begin their first home leg of matches in the United Rugby Championship this season. It has been established ad nauseam that while playing at home, one must make every opportunity count.
Tomorrow, the Lions will begin a five-match tournament homestand against Ulster. Despite previous wins, their season will be determined here. Former Springbok defense coach for the Lions, Jaque Fourie, is aware of this, as are the greater management teams and the players.
“Yes, we had a successful tour, but we have not yet accomplished anything,” stated Fourie.
“The tournament is not decided in the first four games, therefore we are concentrating on the next three home games. We want to get off to a strong start at home against Ulster, Glasgow, and then the Stormers before the international break.
It will be crucial that we do well at home.
Fourie’s contributions have been invaluable to the team. In their triumphs over Ospreys, and specifically against Cardiff and Edinburgh, the Lions’ defense ultimately prevailed.
Previously, it was one of their greatest weaknesses, but now it is one of their greatest strengths. Nonetheless, the Lions missed 71 tackles in those three games, which they cannot afford if they were to be considered a top-eight contender.
However, Fourie was able to acknowledge both the positive and negative parts of their recent defensive efforts.
“The team has really gelled during the last two games,” he remarked.
“Only two or three of our players missed the majority of those tackles. These are separate errors that must be corrected…
“The men are working for each other, which is a positive aspect. When a player misses a tackle, someone else is there to make it up. This exemplifies the team’s character and demonstrates that the players play for one another.
This character will once more be of paramount importance on game day. Ulster are the most aggressive team in the tournament, according to the statistics. They have scored the most points, 151, and the second-most tries, 20, to this far.
They have broken past defensive lines 71 times, made 24 clean breaks, and accumulated 1,703 meters in the process, all of which rank among the top five in their respective categories.
Fourie remarked, “Ulster’s offensive capabilities are complete.”
“They maul frequently, and Albert (van den Berg, the Lions’ assistant coach) has prepared the forwards for the next weekend. With any luck, we’ll either be able to win the ball in the air, or we’ll be able to stop them from mauling when they come down.
It will be a difficult obstacle for us to overcome, but we will be able to do it.
The team’s coach, Ivan van Rooyen, has made a number of adjustments. Edwill van der Merwe returns to the starting lineup after passing his concussion protocol, while former Springbok Willem Albert will contribute his tremendous size to the second row.
With the addition of Ruan Venter, the Lions’ pack now consists of two formidable, aggressive groups.
“Edwill is revitalized, eager, and energized. He is a crucial component of both our offense and defense, as Fourie stated.
“The return of ‘Vic’ is welcome. He has been absent from competition for quite some time. It is always beneficial to have experienced members on your team, especially when you are surrounded by younger men who need to be calmed down.
Emmanuel Tshituka returns to the starting lineup, and a new front row of JP Smith, Jaco Visagie, and Ruan Dreyer will pack down against the Ulstermen.
Emirates Lions Starting XV: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Quan Horn, 10 Gianni Lombard, 8 Francke Horn, 9 Sanele Nohamba 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Emmanuel Tshituka, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 JP Smith.
Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 Sti Sithole, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Sibusiso Sangweni, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Zander du Plessis