Lions trying to adapt to variety of styles in Europe

Success for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship will come down to how well the team can effectively combat the various styles of play, with fullback EW Viljoen keenly aware of that challenge.

The Lions have faced Italian side Zebre and Welsh side Scarlets, and they now head to Scotland to play Glasgow Warriors in their third match of the campaign on Saturday, with each team offering a different challenge.

“It is definitely exciting… every team we play is different. Every team is very clinical and tactical in the way they want to play and they all have their own way of playing,” Viloen said.

“So that is exciting, and playing against teams that have different game plans is a challenge that we have to adapt to.”

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Viljoen is no stranger to how teams in the Northern Hemisphere play, specifically in the UK, as he spent the 2019/20 season at Leicester Tigers.

There he picked up a lot of valuable information that he is now utilising in the URC, and he is able to impart some of that wisdom on his teammates.

“They kick a lot more this side and they are more tactical with the way they use the boot, so it is an adjustment, but not only for me, as our mentality is to put the team first,” Viljoen said.

“So it is about how I can be the best for the team week in and week out, and that is where I have to improve.

“I think the majority of the UK teams have the same mindset where they approach the game very technically with their kicking approach and set-piece. They are very set in their ways and I think all the teams are like that.”

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Due to a tough run of injuries, and then being sidelined by Covid, Viljoen has seen little game time over the past few seasons, but he is finally getting a solid run and he hopes to keep improving and helping the team.

“Covid and injuries are always out of our control and it is all about how I bounce back from these setbacks, so just getting game time week in and week out is a blessing and is something I want to improve and build on every week,” Viljoen said.

“So I am looking forward to the game this weekend and I believe we are definitely capable of handling everything that any team throws at us.”