WP's Potgieter takes aim at Lions buddy

Sarel Potgieter may have registered his first hat trick last week, but if he does no more than shut down Springbok sevens buddy Jaco Pretorius at Ellis Park on Saturday, it would probably end up meaning a lot more to the Western Province cause than his prolific day out against the Falcons.

Pretorius has played some exceptional rugby at outside centre for the Lions during their six-match unbeaten streak and will be a major threat this week to WP's ambitions of securing a home semifinal.

He has scored seven tries thus far in the Lions' campaign and has also done a good job of setting up teammates.

It's Pretorius's ability to slice through gaps that is WP's main concern as they have occasionally looked a little shaky on defence.

And, having played with Pretorius at sevens level, Potgieter knows that he's in for a huge challenge in the biggest provincial game of his career to date.

"It's going to be a nice test for me. Jaco actually phoned me on Sunday and mentioned that we would be going head to head. It was just a quick chat," said Potgieter.

"The game that I started against the Cheetahs (at Newlands) was also a big one, but in terms of what's at stake, this is the biggest.

"This weekend's game against the Lions will be our biggest one in the second round of the Currie Cup. For us it's about getting a home semifinal and for them about survival."

Province at least know that Potgieter is determined to make his opportunities count.

He got his spot in the starting line-up thanks to De Wet Barry being ruled out by virtue of being a contracted Springbok and a hat trick of tries was a good response.

"It did wonders for my confidence. I waited a long time for the opportunity. I'd mostly been on the bench.

"You can't ask for much more than a hat trick (when you get the opportunity to start)," Potgieter said of last week's 66-13 win.

Another outstanding Pretorius - André of Springbok flyhalf fame - will also line up against WP in a strong Lions backline.

Louis Ludik, who did plenty of damage in the last outing between the sides at Newlands, will be on the left wing.

"We've spoken about how well the Lions start every game. They always seem to put 20 points on the board inside the first 20 minutes," said Potgieter.

They did that at Newlands this year, yet WP were still able to come back from 22-7 down to win 30-28.

Jacques van der Westhuyzen writes that Lions coach Eugene Eloff on Wednesday urged his side to "concentrate for the full 80 minutes".

The Lions, despite their six victories on the trot, have shown signs of losing their way in the latter stages of matches, something which, if repeated this weekend, could be costly against WP.

They will certainly not get any second chances this weekend, as was the case against Griquas a week ago when at 24-0 up they almost blew their semifinal chances in what should have been a comfortable victory.

They eventually scraped home 34-32.

It was not the first time this season that the Lions had slacked off after going into the lead.

They were 29-0 up against the Cheetahs, but then conceded 28 points to hang on for a nail-biting 39-28 win.

"The lapse we suffered last weekend wasn't necessary... no team needs a wake-up call like that," said Eloff.

"We have to play clinical rugby each weekend, no matter the opposition, if we want to make it.

"Success is achieved when all the players are in sync mentally so we need to raise our standard again this weekend. There's no room for complacency."

Lions captain Wikus van Heerden is also fully aware of the significance of this weekend's fixture.

"We've been caught flat-footed a few times in the second half. We have to get back on to our toes and suffer no more lapses in concentration," he said.

Lions Team

Earl Rose, Wylie Human, Jaco Pretorius, Doppies la Grange, Louis Ludik, André Pretorius, Jano Vermaak, Pietie Ferreira, Cobus Grobbelaar, Wikus van Heerden (capt), Anton van Zyl, Cobus Grobler, Bertus Smit, Ethienne Reynecke, Heinke van der Merwe.

Substitutes: Riaan Kruger, Lawrence Sephaka, Gordon Gilfillan, Franco van der Merwe, Nicholas Eyre, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Grant Esterhuizen.