Lions want to end URC season with a bang, lay marker for next campaign

They are out of the running to make the United Rugby Championship playoffs, but the Lions have made it clear they want to end their 2022/23 campaign with a bang when they play their final match of the season on Saturday.

The Lions take on lowly Italian side Zebre, who haven’t won a game this season, at 1pm at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, with the Bulls hosting Leinster at 4pm in a unique double-header fixture.

A win for the Lions will possibly see them finish ninth in the standings and just miss out on the playoffs.

‘Make a statement’

However, players Francke Horn and Asenathi Ntlabakanye say the men from Joburg have other motives going into the match at Loftus Versfeld.

“The vibe in the camp is still awesome even though we haven’t made it into the playoffs, which is disappointing, and our aim now is to finish the season off with a bang and make a statement for next season,” said No 8 Horn.

“I wouldn’t say we have a point to prove, but just to show what will be coming from us the next time we’re involved in the URC.”

Attractive Lions rugby

Prop forward Ntlabakanye was talking the same talk as his loose-forward team-mate. “Yes, the vibe is as good as I’ve experienced in the camp,” said the big prop.

“And it’s important for us to lay a marker for next season, to show people the way we want to play, to help try get them back into the stadiums.

“The Lions have played attractive rugby over the last seven years or so, as you saw at the weekend (with several quality tries scored in the match against Leinster) and we want to keep doing that.”

Ntlabakanye said the players were unconcerned about a 1pm kick-off on the highveld in Pretoria.

“We’re familiar with that time slot as we also kicked off against the Dragons at Ellis Park at 1pm not so long ago,” he said.

“But, we’ll try to use the altitude to our advantage. We’re looking forward to the game … Zebre are a tricky side to navigate, but the emphasis is on us.