Lions tested to their fullest

The Emirates Lions will be tested to their fullest by a team that has a long list of accolades on the rugby field.

The quarterfinals of 2016 Vodacom Super Rugby match between Emirates Lions and BNZ Crusaders will be played on Emirates Airlines Park this coming Saturday, July 23.

The match will start at 16:30. The schedule has been moved forward in case there is not an outcome after full-time, to provide for extra time.

The local Johannesburg side has never reached the quarter-finals of Super Rugby and this will be their first outing to the knockout stage. The Lions will play against a side that is the most successful team in Super Rugby history with seven titles to their credit. The BNZ Crusaders will also field many All Blacks players on Saturday to give them the outside chance of once again playing in the semi-finals the following weekend.

The Crusaders came to Emirates Airline Park on April 1 and conquered the local outfit in a thrilling match, winning 43-37.

The group of Lions players will have to be wary of the fact the team from down under will have a mission to fulfil. They always frustrate their opposition and capitalise on soft moments, But the Lions do have the support of their everlasting supporters and hopefully they can make history and move on to the semi-finals by beating the strong contingent from New Zealand.

In the meantime the standing captain of the Emirates Lions, Warren Whitley, will undergo a fitness test on Thursday, July 21 before the final call will be made on his availability.