Krappies focusing on his role, not the giants in the Stormers halfbacks

It may look like an impossible task given the Lions’ up and down form at the moment, but for Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, the trip to Cape Town for the Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby is all about one thing - getting the win.

That’s why the inevitable talk of rivalries - his Bok teammates Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are likely to feature - means little for a Lions team leader who has watched his side reach highs and delve the depths this season.

The Lions' inconsistency has seen them lose both EPCR Challenge Cup games this season after a shock win over the Bulls in their last URC match and while derbies are inevitably close, the Stormers will start this weekend as massive favourites.

Van den Berg went out of his way to play down his battle with Reinach at Cape Town stadium.

“I know I will be facing Cobus, but all I’m thinking about is how I can help the team win. I’m not thinking about the Boks, my focus is fully on this weekend’s match,” he said.

“I have a lot of respect for Cobus. He’s been amazing over the past two years.

“But this weekend I’m going there to compete and to give it my all against him,” and added that the lessons he has learnt from the experienced scrumhalf have been vital to his growth.

“It’s a lot of little things; How he prepares during the week, how he sees the game, when to do something, when not to do something. When to look for space. It’s a lot of small stuff that adds to the big things.

“So much respect for him as a player and especially as a person.”

And while a lot of the focus will be on the Bok breakout star Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Van den Berg played down trying to stop him at all costs.

“Sacha is unbelievable, but at the end of the day, there are 15 men on the field.

“We will have a plan or two, but this week is not just about how to stop Sacha,” he emphasised.

“We know they are strong, but we’re going there to force our game plan on them. We’re not going there to adapt to how they play.”

Van den Berg has already shown his worth for the Springboks this season, and will be hoping his gameplay, in conjunction with his teammates, can give the Lions a chance this weekend.