It may seem like another Jukskei derby but Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship showdown between the Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions but the significance in terms of the broader season is so much deeper and could have profound consequences for both sides.
The Bulls currently sit in sixth spot on 26 points, and the Lions in 11th on 23 points but both have a game in hand on the teams around them - this game and a victory for each would be significant in so many ways.
If the Bulls pick up a full complement of points it will move them to third above Glasgow Warriors, and in striking distance of a home playoff round, while a Lions full house would see them springboard into fourth above Ulster on a better points difference.
So to perhaps suggest that there wasn’t anything more to play for than pride is a bit of an understatement.
Both sides have plenty to go for and the Lions, although better at home, will not be overawed by the Loftus legacy, having shocked the Bulls there last year as Sanele Nohamba completed a masterclass to start a cycle of hope that has carried this Lions side throughout the past few months.
Jukskei Derby loading… Your Match day 2️⃣3️⃣ for Saturday.
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 26, 2024
🆚 Vodacom Bulls
🏆: Vodacom United Rugby Championship
🗓: Sat, 27 Jan
⏰: 15:00
🎟: https://t.co/G3L8bKnTFi
🏟 : Loftus Versfeld#BULvLIO @vodacom #URC #UnitedWeRise#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/1u69uBUweW
But the Bulls have made it clear their title ambitions are based on winning derby games - coach Jake White has been quite vocal on this and how losing games like the Lions’ derby last season cost them a home playoff game.
With that in mind, White has brought back Springbok Marco van Staden after his enforced Springbok break, and will be relying on him to get dominance on the ground, while resisting the temptation of bringing in the other World Cup winners in Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie for another week.
Part of that is the impressive bit of form that the fringe players have delivered in the URC and Champions’ Cup of late that allows White the luxury of rewarding such players and not over-relying on the Boks at his disposal.
Willie le Roux will still line-up at the back alongside Sebastian de Klerk while Sergeal Petersen comes in with Devon Williams on the bench this week.
White has also mixed and matched a bit more, and with Van Staden’s return, captain Marcell Coetzee drops to the bench along with find of the season Cameron Hanekom. This means Elrigh Louw and Celimpilo Gumede both join Van Staden in the loose trio and the Bulls have a strong bench of loosies to throw into the game later on, opting for a six-two bench.
Ruan Nortje will lead the side into battle with Pumas’ loan lock Deon Slabbert getting a go and Reinhardt Ludwig also on the bench. Simphiwe Matanzima will start at loosehead with Gerhard Steenekamp getting a rest.
In the backs White has returned to the Harold Voster, David Kriel combo in the midfield with the hope that Vorster cuts it up against his former team. Johan Grobbelaar’s name on the bench is also a notable inclusion after an injury kept him out for a large part of the season thus far.
The Lions have noted the Bulls selections and opted for Hanru Sirgel ahead of JC Pretorius, while Nohamba, unsurprisingly, moves back to 10 with Morne van der Berg at halfback. With 24 points in his last visit to Loftus, the Lions are hoping for a repeat Nohamba performance.
But the Lions are wary of how the Bulls have improved and especially their physicality.
“It’s been a 6-day turnaround for us, so it’s been quite a short week preparation-wise. It was important for us to seek alignment and clarity as quick as possible. A short week also forces us to make quick decisions and effective training,” coach Ivan van Rooyen said ahead of the clash.
“Our synergy has been good this week. We had a good review of what went well and what didn’t work last week.
“We know that if you’re not physical against the Bulls, they’ll get momentum. With momentum, comes quick ball and offloads. So we know we are going to have to front up physically as well as to be aware of their kicking game and set piece play. The focus therefore for us defensively was to work hard, set quickly and make decisions from there.”
Either way there are so many talking points and so many consequences from the result that both sides desperately will want the points on offer.
And the team that comes away with the win will have their URC playoff hopes boosted significantly.
‼️TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
— Official Blue Bulls (@BlueBullsRugby) January 26, 2024
🐂 Vodacom Bulls vs Emirates Lions
🗓️ 27 January
⏰ 15:00
📍 Loftus Versfeld
🎟️ Tickets: https://t.co/ELC8jpsluj #backthebulls @Vodacom #URC pic.twitter.com/PYYSb9eudt
Vodacom Bulls: Willie le Roux; Sebastian de Klerk, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Sergeal Petersen; Johan Goosen, Embrose Papier; Celimpilo Gumede, Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje (captain), Deon Slabbert, Mornay Smith, Akker van der Merwe, Simphiwe Matanzima.
Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Dylan Smith, Khutha Mchunu, Reinhardt Ludwig, Cameron Hanekom, Keagan Johannes, Devon Williams, Marcell Coetzee.
Emirates Lions : Quan Horn; Richard Kriel, Henco van Wyk, Marius Louw (captain), Edwill van der Merwe; Sanele Nohamba, Morne van den Berg; Francke Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka, Hanru Sirgel, Reinhard Nothnagel, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Jaco Visagie, JP Smith.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Morgan Naude, Ruan Dreyer, Darrien Landsberg, Izan Esterhuizen, JC Pretorius, Jordan Hendrikse, Erich Cronje.
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Kick-off: 3pm