The highveld air at United Rugby Championship time crackles differently when the Lions and Sharks circle each other. On Saturday at Ellis Park (14:00 kick-off), it won’t just be another derby – it will feel like a Test match in club colours.
The Lions welcome back their talismanic loose forward Ruan Venter, a man who hits rucks like a wrecking ball and carries like a freight train. He returns from a four-match suspension following his illegal tackle in the dramatic 23-22 win over the Sharks at Kings Park – a contest settled by a late try from scrumhalf Haashim Pead.
In Venter’s absence, Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani rose admirably and now provides impact from the bench. There’s also a bold selection in the starting XV: U21 captain Siba Mahashe earns his URC debut in the No 6 jersey. The Hudson Park product tasted senior rugby in January against Lyon in the EPCR Challenge Cup and now finds himself thrust into the furnace of a derby.
Francke Horn captains from No 8, anchoring a loose trio designed for graft and grit, while lock Darrien Landsberg runs out for his 50th match – a half-century forged in lineout duels and tight exchanges.
At halfback, Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg continues ahead of Pead and rekindles his partnership with Chris Smith. Out wide, Kelly Mpeku returns to join Angelo Davids and Springbok fullback Quan Horn in a back three built for broken-field lightning.
The Lions need a response. Their last URC outing ended in a bruising 52-17 defeat to the Bulls at Ellis Park – a result that left technical scars.
Forwards coach Wessel Roux admitted:
“On the day, we were really just not our best selves. There were technical issues and fundamental issues that we’ve discussed and worked on, but in pro rugby sometimes it just happens that you’re not your best self.’
Roux knows what awaits them up front.
‘The Sharks pack is firing quite nicely. They’re brave and creative and were dominant in both games against the Stormers. They’re a world-class pack and a world-class team.
‘We had 12 lineouts, but lost five of them. It’s a focus for us to get our fundamentals right and to try and get physical dominance because we know the Sharks are a big physical threat. It feels like a Test match we’re having to prepare for.’
If the Lions are seeking redemption, the Sharks are chasing position.
Sharks: Opportunity and Ambition
While the Lions chase redemption, Sharks coach JP Pietersen sees Saturday as a proving ground for his young guns.
Several senior Springboks, including Andre Esterhuizen and Siya Kolisi, are being managed under rest protocols, while Eben Etzebeth remains suspended and Bongi Mbonambi injured. But Pietersen has framed the changes not as a setback, but as an audition.
“It gives you that opportunity to see if the guys in between – those in transition from juniors to seniors, or seniors who haven’t had enough game time – are improving week by week,” Pietersen said. “It’s a great opportunity for some of them to put up their hands.”
Vincent Tshituka captains a side that blends youth and steel. Thomas Dyer starts at No 8, tasked with locking horns against a combative Lions loose trio.
“It’s a great challenge physically and to see how fast you can move and how well you can execute your skill set under pressure with a fast game and at altitude against a good loose trio,” Pietersen said.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for Tom, but he is more than capable enough to perform, and he’s been in our system for a long time.
“It will also be good to see how [flank] Tino Mavesere stands up against a good Lions loose trio.”
In midfield, Jurenzo Julius shifts to inside centre — a move designed to maximise impact.
“It’s about his explosiveness, how strong he is in contact … you want Jurenzo to touch the ball more in a game,” Pietersen explained. “The more touches he gets, the better for the team and the better for him because he is so powerful.”
The Sharks remember the reverse fixture all too well.
“They beat us in Durban and in that first half they showed how to put us under pressure,” Pietersen said. “They were clinical and got out to a 17-point lead early. They’ll take confidence from that.”
What’s at Stake
The Sharks sit ninth on the log, within striking distance of the top eight and chasing back-to-back SA Shield titles. Four or five points in Johannesburg could see them leapfrog the Ospreys and tighten their grip on local supremacy.
The Lions, though inconsistent, remain a different animal at altitude. Ellis Park has a way of amplifying intent and exposing weakness. Expect a frenetic tempo, aerial chess at lineout time, and breakdown collisions that echo like drumbeats.
The Sharks’ recent back-to-back derby wins over the Stormers have sharpened their confidence. Their pack has mauled opponents with the patience of a python and the precision of a surgeon. But Ellis Park remains a dangerous savannah for visiting teams.
Saturday’s collision will likely be decided in the trenches – at scrum time, in the aerial chess of the lineout, and in the split-second decisions at the breakdown. It promises eighty minutes of thunder.
LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Ettienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Bench: 16 Franco Marais, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Eddie Davids, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Erich Cronje.
SHARKS – 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Jaco Williams, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Thomas Dyer, 7 Vincent Tshituka (c), 6 Tino Mavesere, 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Bench: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Yaw Penxe.
