The Lions will be missing a host of key players when they tackle Ospreys in Llanelli on Sunday, presenting the Pride’s ‘next men up’ with a golden opportunity to showcase their talents under the bright lights of the EPCR Challenge Cup stage.
The likes of incisive centre Henco van Wyk and gargantuan prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye headline a significant group of Lions stars sent home to Johannesburg earlier this week in anticipation of the clash against Section Paloise at Emirates Airline Park in round 2.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen’s confidence in his squad is a reflection of a team that has been seasoned by the salt of two previous Challenge Cup campaigns and peppered by an impressive Vodacom URC run this season.
The Pride made waves in their Challenge Cup debut in 2022-23 by advancing to the final eight, and last season they proved it was no fluke, mustering a thrilling win against USAP and a high-scoring victory against Newcastle Falcons in booking a return flight to the playoffs where they succumbed to Benetton Rugby in the round of 16.
As has been a theme of Van Rooyen’s tenure at the Lions, every setback is a source of growth for his troops, evidenced by the team’s form in the URC this season.
Four wins in six matches, including triumphs over the Dragons and Zebre Parma on tour, have positioned the Pride in fifth place on the table. Defensive fortitude has been a cornerstone of the fast start as the Emirates Lions defence is ranked fourth in the league with an average of 18.7 points conceded per match.
But the Lions aren’t just playing hard; Van Rooyen has been smart in adapting his plans to meet the demands of sustaining a European cup campaign.
“Around 12 guys have been sent home,” scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys said earlier this week. “This gives other players the opportunity to show their quality.”
The Lions are not short of quality. In fact, versatile 1.67-metre playmaker Sanele Nohamba is short and quality. Tasked with filling the void left by No 10 Kade Wolhuter (concussion), the former SA U20 scrumhalf has proven he’s capable of slotting in at flyhalf with aplomb.
A prolific goal-kicker and creative pivot, Nohamba’s value was recognised by his South African peers at the end of the 2023-24 campaign when he was crowned URC Player of the Season.
Similarly, sub-80kg fullback Tapiwa Mafura has added versatility, finishing prowess and previous Challenge Cup experience to the Pride since joining from the Cheetahs this season, his flair a vital asset in unlocking defences.
Up front, JC Pretorius exemplifies tenacity. The diminutive flanker thrives on disruption at the defensive breakdown and punches well above his weight with ball in hand. And ruck-wrecking rookie Renzo du Plessis, a revelation in the Currie Cup with 10 tries, debuts in the Challenge Cup as a relentless loose forward.
In an Lions team that is progressively peeling off the sticky residue of a reputation for being also-rans in the race for SA Shield in the URC, the players biding their time on Van Rooyen’s depth chart for an opportunity to start know that a standout performance in the Challenge Cup is what is required to earn his trust, and perhaps catch the eye of European club scouts.
Nohamba’s growth into a leadership role, Mafura’s attacking nous, Pretorius’ breakdown mastery and Du Plessis’ raw potential mark the Emirates Lions as a team rich in potential.
Victory in Swansea would set the tone for a campaign that features pool-stage battles against Pau, Montpellier and Dragons , and perhaps influence Van Rooyen’s selections as the Lions begin their march back to the playoffs.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images
