Johannesburg - Every man has a crucial role to play in Saturday’s quarter-final against the Crusaders, but it’ll be the half-back pairing of Faf de Klerk and Elton Jantjies who will probably determine whether the Lions win or not.
Rugby writer Jacques van der Westhuyzen highlights the key points of their battle with the Crusaders duo of Andy Ellis and Richie Mo’unga
Johannesburg - After the Lions lost 43-37 to the Crusaders in regular season play in early April, the Lions duo of De Klerk and Jantjies were criticised for being naïve and not kicking enough in a tight game, same as when the Lions suffered a hiding by the Hurricanes later that month.
But in just about every other game this season it’s been De Klerk and Jantjies at the forefront of everything the Lions have done, and achieved. They’ve shone as directors of the play, as try-scorers and match-winners, and inspirational figures in their team.Lions boss Johan Ackermann says both men have learned a lot during the season.
“I think they would have learned from all the matches this year, the good ones and the bad ones, but especially from the defeats by the Crusaders and Hurricanes,” said Ackermann.
“Since those defeats, they’ve stood up and produced some fantastic performances for us and they’d also learned a lot from playing in the Test series against Ireland. There was a lot of pressure on them then and they’ll be better off for it in future.”
Now they must take the confidence they’ve gathered over the season and the lessons learned and apply it to what’s in front of them this weekend. They just need to go out and do what they’ve done all year.
“Their performances though will depend hugely on what type of ball they receive from their forwards and that will dictate whether the Lions play a fast up-tempo game or whether Jantjies, especially, puts boot to ball.
“It all starts up front… their game will depend on the platform provided by the forwards. But yes, the decisions they make will be crucial, but it’s up to the whole team to make sure we do the right things over the 80 minutes.”
Road to the quarter-finals
Lions
Beat Sunwolves 26-13 (a); Beat Chiefs 36-32 (a); Lost Highlanders 34-15 (a); Beat Cheetahs 39-22 (h); Lost Crusaders 43-37 (h); Beat Sharks 24-9 (a); Beat Stormers 29-22 (h); Beat Kings 45-10 (a); Lost Hurricanes 50-17 (h); Beat Blues 43-5 (h); Beat Jaguares 52-24 (h); Beat Bulls 56-20 (a); Beat Sharks 37-10 (h); Beat Kings 57-21 (h); Lost Jaguares 34-22 (a)
Leading point scorer: Elton Jantjies - two tries, 36 conversions, 21 penalties, one drop-goal; 148 points (sixth)
Leading try-scorer: Lionel Mapoe (nine)
Crusaders
Lost Chiefs 27-21 (h); Beat Blues 28-13 (h); Beat Kings 57-24 (h); Beat Sharks 19-14 (a); Beat Lions 43-37 (a); Beat Force 20-19 (a); Beat Jaguares 32-15 (h); Beat Brumbies 40-14 (a); Beat Reds 38-5 (h); Lost Highlanders 34-26 (a); Beat Waratahs 29-10 (h); Beat Blues 26-21 (a); Lost Chiefs 23-13 (a); Beat Rebels 85-26 (h); Lost Hurricanes 35-10 (h)
Leading point scorer: Richard Mo’unga - five tries, 39 conversions, 22 penalties; 169 points (second)
Leading try-scorer: Johnny McNicholl (seven)
Last meeting
April 1, Ellis Park - Lions 37, Crusaders 43
The Crusaders outscored the Lions six tries to four in a thrilling encounter. Visiting centre Ryan Crotty got a hat-trick of tries as the Crusaders dominated much of the clash. The Lions fought back strongly in the second spell when their replacements entered the fray, hooker Akker van der Merwe scoring two late tries to ensure his side grabbed a losing bonus point.
Teams
Lions: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Warren Whiteley (capt), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith; Replace-ments: Akker van der Merwe, Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Ruan Ackermann, Cyle Brink, Ross Cronje, Howard Mnisi, Jaco van der Walt/Sylvian Mahuza
Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Johnny McNicholl, Ryan Crotty, David Havili, Jone Macilai, Richie Mo’unga, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett; Replacements: Ben Funnell, Alex Hodgman, Mike Alaalatoa, Scott Barrett, Jimmy Tupou, Mitchell Drummond, Ben Volavola, Kieron Fonotia
The Star