THE Lions have reached their highest ever finish on the Super Rugby log and will now also face their toughest opposition in the 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby quarter-final.
Emirates Lions will face BNZ Crusaders this Saturday, July 23, at Emirates Airline Park.
The match will start at 16:30.
“I’m very proud of the players who reached the quarter-finals in this competition and regardless of what happens on Saturday, they deserve to finish the season as a good team,” said head coach Johan Ackermann ahead of the most important clash of his coaching career.
The Lions finished third in 2001 losing to the Sharks and finished fourth in 2000 after losing out to the Brumbies in the semi-finals. In 1997 they ended in the fifth position on the log.
“I know we are going to play under a lot of pressure, but we will take this game as it comes and are prepared to deliver,” said Ackermann. “I know the Crusaders beat us in April, but there was a lack in our defence and we had to chase the game.” The Lions lost 37-43 to BNZ Crusaders in April but according to Ackermann this is a new match and the team have learnt their lesson. “We can only do what we can and will focus on this game and not make changes to our way of play.”
“I think the crowd must come out and cherish this moment with us, as I said to the players they must go out there and enjoy the game.”
In the meantime Warren Whiteley has been cleared, passing a late fitness test on Thursday. He will captain the side.
Ticket prices for Saturday are R60, R100, R150 and R250. Tickets will be sold at the stadium on Saturday from 08:00 to 11:30 after which supporters must use alternatives outlets.
Programme:
13:00 Gates open.
13:30 Curtain-raiser Presidents’ league final: Jabulani vs Southern Knights.
16:30 Quarter-final Emirates Lions vs BNZ Crusaders.
Emirates Lions team are:
1 Dylon Smith
2 Malcolm Marx
3 Julian Redelinghuys
4 Andries Ferreira
5 Franco Mostert
6 Jaco Kriel
7 Warwick Tecklenburg
8 Warren Whiteley
9 Faf de Klerk
10 Elton Jantjies
11 Courtnal Skosan
12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
13 Lionel Mapoe
14 Ruan Combrinck
15 Andries Coetzee
Replacements:
16 Armand van der Merwe
17 Corne Fourie
18 Jacques van Rooyen
19 Ruan Ackermann
20 Cyle Brink
21 Ross Cronje
22 Howard Mnisi
23 Jaco van der Walt/Sylvian Mahuza
