THE Lions may have won nine out of 10 games, but they are going all in for this afternoon’s Currie Cup final against the Sharks after selecting Sanele Nohamba at flyhalf for the Ellis Park showdown (4pm start).
It is the Sharks who are the only side who have beaten the Johannesburg outfit this year, and it was at the same venue as the final that the Durbanites began their turnaround in the competition when they triumphed 35-22 on July 27.
The Sharks haven’t lost since, drawing with the Pumas away and then beating Griquas, the Cheetahs, Western Province, the Griffons and the Blue Bulls, before their 40-40 stalemate with the Pretoria side in last weekend’s semi-final was enough to reach the final due to tries scored.
That’s why it’s not such a surprise that Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has opted to go with an attacking force such as Nohamba in the No 10 jersey ahead of a more traditional flyhalf in Kade Wolhuter, who is on the bench.
Nohamba was sensational as a pivot for the Lions in last season’s United Rugby Championship, and there were justified calls for Springbok selection as a result.
The former Sharks scrumhalf sparked the Lions’ attack into life with the variety in his passing and kicking game, while he also has enough pace to take on the defence himself with ball-in-hand.
Dovetailing with impressive young No 9 Nico Steyn, Nohamba will look to get the most out of an exciting Lions backline possessing some serious strike-runners such as Springbok Quan Horn, wings Rabz Maxwane and Tapiwa Mafura, and outside centre Rynhardt Jonker, while physical inside centre Marius Louw will have the task of marking giant Bok midfielder André Esterhuizen.
Gates open at 13h00! We’ve got something for the whole family, so come early, enjoy the vibe at Emirates Airline Park, and get ready to ROAR behind your Fidelity ADT Lions! 🦁🔥
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) September 20, 2024
🆚 @SharksRugby
🗓: Sat, 21 Sept
⏰: 16H00
🎟: https://t.co/yvdp0mIkIh
🏟 : Emirates Airline Park… pic.twitter.com/NL9hUI5ftI
But it is Nohamba who must call the shots in his flyhalf duel with classy Sharks general Siya Masuku, who also has a number of options out wide who can find holes in the defence, such as Esterhuizen, Ethan Hooker and Jurenzo Julius, while Jordan Hendrikse is a second playmaker and can counter-attack from the back.
Left wing Mafura will also play a crucial role in settling the nerves for the Lions backs, having won the Currie Cup in the last two seasons with the Pumas and Cheetahs.
“It feels unreal. I never thought my career would be going the way it’s going at the moment. Just very excited for the weekend – there is a lot at stake,” the Zimbabwean speedster said.
“Just being in the Currie Cup final over the past two years has helped me. The composure that comes with having played in it helps a lot, and helps the guys as some of them are playing in their first one.
“So, they are leaning on my experience and how I’ve handled it in the past. It’s different opponents and for a different team, but it feels like it’s my first time as well.
“I think I have evolved a lot. Playing in different positions, not being stuck in one position helps a lot. Being able to execute what the coaches require on the day...
“There is going to be a lot of people here and a lot of nerves, and it will be important for us to stay calm and still execute what we need to execute.”
But for the Lions back division, their pack of forwards will need to do the hard yards to clinch the golden trophy for the first time since 2015.
The Sharks went toe-to-toe with the Bulls over 100 minutes last week and may be feeling the effects of that physical effort, but they still boast some powerful figures such as the Tshituka brothers, Vincent and Emmanuel, pacy flank James Venter and a formidable front row of Ntuthuko Mchunu, Fez Mbatha and Hanro Jacobs.
Lions flanks Ruan Venter and Renzo du Plessis won’t take a backward step for anyone, and neither will the physical Ruben Schoeman and Asenathi Ntlabakanye.
There is no doubt that the Sharks have the better bench, with Springboks such as Trevor Nyakane and Jason Jenkins available.
The Lions, though, will hope that former Blitzboks star JC Pretorius can continue with his Kwagga Smith-like contributions in the second half to sway the result in the Joburgers’ favour.
Lions Team
15 Quan Horn 14 Rabz Maxwane 13 Rynhardt Jonker 12 Marius Louw (captain) 11 Tapiwa Mafura 10 Sanele Nohamba 9 Nico Steyn 8 Jarod Cairns 7 Ruan Venter 6 Renzo du Plessis 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg 4 Ruben Schoeman 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye 2 Jaco Visagie (captain) 1 Morgan Naudé.
Bench: 16 Morné Brandon 17 Juan Schoeman 18 Conraad van Vuuren 19 Siba Qoma 20 Raynard Roets 21 JC Pretorius 22 Kade Wolhuter 23 Kelly Mpeku.