No quarter for Lions’ Nohamba at Ellis Park

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: Morgan Bolton
• Publication title: Star, The (Johannesburg, South Africa)

If the visitors are to select their strongest team, which the Lions undoubtedly will do, there will be a Herculean tussle for supremacy between the two sides in a season- defining clash (5pm kick-off)

For the Lions, victory will make their path to the quarter-final that much easier, while for the Irish franchise, home-ground advantage in the play-offs will be within grasping distance.

One of the key battles that could unfold tomorrow in the United Rugby Championship encounter is between the halfbacks.

The Lions will most certainly continue the partnership between Morné van den Berg and Sanele Nohamba at scrumhalf and flyhalf.

A shoulder injury to fullback Quan Horn could also possibly see Jordan Hendrikse slot in at No 15, adding to what is expected to be an intriguing battle against the Munster pairing of Conor Murray and Jack Crowley.

Earlier this week, Van den Berg described the Munster duo as “world-class halfbacks”, and the 26-year-old’s battle with Irish veteran Murray – who has played 125 Tests – will be a great indication of how much “Krappie” has developed this season.

“He has been one of the best scrumhalves for a while now,” Van den Berg admitted.

“I’ve been learning and taking what I can from him. It’s a challenge that I really look forward to. It is going to be good.”

The Lions go into the clash against the defending champions buoyed by an excellent victory over Leinster last weekend. That 44-12 triumph was built on a fast start, resolute defending and a convincing conclusion.

In-between, the Lions lost a bit of traction, allowing the Irish giants to besiege their half with wave after wave of attack.

The Joburgers can ill-afford such a repeat, and to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, the Lions have...