WP want Britz and Bekker to lock up Lions

The fact that coach Kobus van der Merwe is banking on his locks to work a significant advantage in tomorrow's Currie Cup clash against the Lions at Ellis Park shows just how much things have changed for the better at Western Province.

Not too long ago the lack of quality second-row forwards was considered a significant reason for a decline in WP's fortunes.

However, Andries Bekker and Gerrie Britz will lead an assault against the Lions lineout that could prove instrumental in securing WP a home semifinal with one match left to play.

Van der Merwe has also picked both Francois van der Merwe and Ross Skeate on the bench, which suggests that they will feature in the second half as WP look to sustain a powerful effort by their forwards over 80 minutes.

Both Van der Merwe and Skeate missed last week's 66-13 win over the Falcons due to injury.

The preferred pairing for the overwhelming majority of the matches has been Van der Merwe and Britz, but the decision to keep Bekker involved from the start this week is well reasoned.

Province are expecting the Lions to play expansively from the outset and, apart from their lineout prowess, Britz and Bekker are good athletes.

Britz is back in the side this week in place of the injured Selborne Boome.

The Lions usually start well, but tend to lose their way a bit, and the introduction of the physical Van der Merwe and another impressive athlete in Skeate could be decisive in swinging the match for WP.

There are five forwards on the WP bench, including fit-again prop JD Moller, who will also no doubt feature as they launch their onslaught after halftime.

Springbok scrumhalf Bolla Conradie has shaken off an Achilles injury and returns at the expense of Paul Delport.

Considering what's at stake - a home semifinal for WP and survival for the Lions - nothing but an extremely high-intensity game can be expected.

The Lions will also be going flat-out for the bonus point as they look to make up the ground between themselves and the Blue Bulls on the log.

"They know they have to win to stay in contention for the semifinals. They are still the underdogs and can throw caution to the wind.

"I expect them to play expansive rugby. Our main priority will be to keep the ball and defend well.

"From there we'll look to build an innings and put pressure on them," said WP captain Luke Watson.

"We're at our best when we take the ball through phases. We won't get drawn into sevens-style rugby. We're going to stick to our structures and have a go when the opportunity arises."

Province will have their share of defending to do with Springbok flyhalf André Pretorius making the play for the Lions.

However, WP are also well equipped to do some damage and the likes of Gio Aplon, Sireli Naqelevuki and Zhahier Ryland will enjoy an open game.

Watson and company also go into the game knowing that in their last clash against the Lions they produced a passage of play with which their opponents simply could not cope.

When they've been in the mood, WP have played some exceptional rugby, with superb off-loading in the tackle and hand-to-hand skills, as was evident when they fought back from 22-7 down to beat the Lions 30-28 at Newlands.

However, there's a lot more at stake tomorrow and it's going to come down to which of these young sides best handles the massive pressure of the occasion.

For WP there's some margin for error as they can still qualify for the semifinals if they lose on Saturday. However, this is as close as they'll come to cup final intensity outside the real thing.

Just how they respond may reveal a lot about their credentials to go all the way.

Should they win, it's quite possible that WP will top the log. The Cheetahs, who are presently three points ahead of WP, have a difficult home fixture against the Sharks.

Last week's big win over the Sharks was an important confidence-booster for the Blue Bulls, who have a tough away game against Griquas in Kimberley.

The Bulls can't afford anything but a victory as their remaining match after this week is against the Cheetahs, while the chasing Lions will be away to the Pumas.

However, a WP victory this weekend will in all probability cast the semifinal participants in stone, with the final round determining the play-off venues.