The Lions are confident that a youthful squad can snaffle an upset win against an underperforming yet star-studded Montpellier side on Saturday.
The Lions’ second season in the Challenge Cup has got off to an impressive start with a 28-12 victory at Perpignan before a convincing 35-13 victory at home against the Newcastle Falcons.
Meanwhile, hosts Montpellier currently top Pool 2, ahead of the Lions by one point. The French side’s Challenge Cup form is in complete contrast to how they have performed in the domestic Top 14, where they currently lie bottom of the log after three wins in 12 games.
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has opted to rest his senior players, as the likes of skipper Marius Louw, Sanele Nohamba, Francke Horn, Quan Horn, Emmanuel Tshituka and Henco van Wyk have all remained in Johannesburg.
Instead, a team made up of a mix of veterans and exciting up-and-comers will take on a Montpellier side boasting Springboks Cobus Reinach and Jan Serfontein, former All Blacks wing George Bridge and Italy playmaker Paolo Garbisi among their ranks.
Forwards coach Barend Pieterse has thrown his support behind the youthful squad that travelled to Montpellier, while suggesting that territory will be the name of the game come Saturday.
“I think it’s going to be a hectic challenge,” Pieterse said. “If you look at their squad, I don’t understand why they are lying where they are in the Top 14 because if you look at the players they’ve got, it’s a really good squad.
“But in saying that, the challenge is just going to stick to the game plan and what has been working for us. They have got big forwards, so I think the big challenge will be up front with the players they have.
“We want to play a territory game, a little bit different from what we normally play. If the weather permits, we will always be a team that goes for it. But I think to get into the game and get behind them will be our first priority of the game.
“I think the most important thing is that the squad sticks to what we have been doing throughout the season,” Pieterse added. “If you look at the game against Perpignan, that squad did exactly what we asked of them.
“It’s more about sticking to our system. It’s not about a first-choice or second-choice squad; it’s really about the whole squad.”
Meanwhile, lock Darrien Landsberg says that the Lions have been drawing from the experience of some of the older players and that they have a point to prove.
“I think more than anything, there is a lot of excitement. As a group, we have really come together; all the guys are challenging one another to get the best out of ourselves. So, there is a lot of excitement going into this game.
“It is a massive opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best players in the world. Coming here, the boys want this challenge, and I think it is a massive statement that we need to prove as a team.
“Amongst each other, there has been a lot of chat with some of the guys that have experience overseas in terms of dealing with conditions and how to manage yourself. Some of the younger guys as well, taking that experience is definitely a good thing for us.”
Photo: Valentine Chapuis/Gallo Images