It will be the first time this season that these two old foes lock horns, and all the signs point to a bruising, high-intensity affair at Kings Park. The Johannesburg side will be looking to slow down a high-flying Sharks outfit that appears to have found fresh momentum following a change in coaching personnel. 

While the Lions went down narrowly to the Stormers in Cape Town a fortnight ago, there were plenty of positives to take from that gutsy display. 

Chris Smith. Photo: Morgan Piek

Importantly, they have already claimed a major domestic scalp this season after beating the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld - proof that they can mix it with the best on their day.

Lions assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher has stressed that discipline and sticking to their processes will be key if they are to upset a confident Sharks side on their home turf. “We want everything to be process-driven,” said the former Springbok outside back. 

“That’s our attack, defence, and kicking game. If you look at the Sharks since JP took over, they’re a team on the up. You can see the improved effort and belief, and it shows in the way they play,” added the Lions’ attack guru.

“We know it’s going to be a tough battle on Saturday, but we’re excited. When you look at the names and the experience in that squad, it’s a great challenge for us, and there are a lot of things we’ve learned within our own team.”

The Francke Horn-led Lions have been forced into a few injury-enforced changes ahead of the derby. Locks Darrien Landsberg (shoulder) and Reinhard Nothnagel (concussion) both miss out, while young prop SJ Kotze has been ruled out and will remain in Johannesburg.

Suzuki Griquas loosehead Eddie Davids continues to make the most of his opportunities in the front row, with RF Schoeman and Beertjie van Vuuren providing cover off the bench. 

Quan Horn. Photo: Morgan Piek

There is also plenty of excitement among the replacements, with hard-running loose forward Renzo du Plessis and talented scrumhalf Haasiem Pead set to inject energy later in the contest.

Saturday’s URC derby at Kings Park kicks off at 15:30.

Sharks - 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 André Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Manu Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nché
Replacements - 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Phatu Ganyane, 18 Mawande Mdanda, 19 Corné Rahl, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Nick Hatton, 22 Jaden Hendrikse, 23 Siya Masuku

Lions - 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Brendon Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (captain), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruben Schoeman, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Eddie Davids
Replacements - 16 Morné Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Beertjie van Vuuren, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Siba Qoma, 22 Haasiem Pead, 23 Richard Kriel

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh