Lions hopeful over key trio ahead of historic URC quarter-final against Leinster
UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
The Lions are hopeful that outside centre Henco van Wyk and a few other key injured stars will come through the last few training sessions unscathed to be selected for the URC quarter-final on Saturday against Leinster.
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The Lions are positive that three of their key players — captain Francke Horn, centre Henco van Wyk and fullback Quan Horn — will be fit and ready for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final against Leinster in Dublin.
While they have not yet been passed fit, the news coming from the camp is that they have trained as much as possible ahead of the team’s biggest game in the tournament to date.
After a couple of weeks in Ireland, the visitors are in the final stages of preparation for the knockout clash at the Aviva Stadium (9pm kick-off) against a wounded home side.
Scrum coach Julian Redelinghuys gave an update on the injured stars on Tuesday, saying they are still being assessed. The positive news is that they have been on the training field.
“It is going as well as it possibly can at the moment,” Redelinghuys said.
“They are not entirely in or out, but they’ve practised as much as they can. We haven’t been able to announce a team yet, but they are doing as best they can. It looks positive at the moment. However, the guys who must step in for them, should it be needed, are preparing well too.
“We are holding thumbs that our stars come through. It is not yet 100% confirmed, but they look to be available for the clash this weekend.”
Redelinghuys confirmed utility player Erich Cronje is on tour and ready to step in should he be needed after missing the previous matches in Ireland.
On Saturday’s showdown, the former Springbok prop said they are under no illusions about the task awaiting them. The Lions expect to face a much stronger side than the one they encountered two weeks ago when the teams met in the second-last URC league match.
Leinster lost the Champions Cup final to Bordeaux Bègles this past weekend, and the visitors are bracing themselves for an onslaught from the defending URC champions.
“We’ve looked at how other teams have beaten them in play-off games and made our plans according to our DNA, and we hope it is the right plan. We hope our wild dogs can do the job for us.
“If we are the best version of ourselves, we will give ourselves a chance against a very good team. It is knockout rugby, and the ball is not round. We want to be the most desperate team on the field.”