The African conference resumes with Super Rugby as we enter the last few games of round–robin. The last fixture of the weekend sees the Lions host the Sunwolves at Emirates Park, Johannesburg. Join us at The Roar for live updates and a blog at 1:15am AEST.
The Sunwolves, who are in search of their first win away from home, have a mammoth task of beating a very strong Lions side.
Coach Filo Tiatia has rung in 12 changes to the side the lost 47-7 to the Cheetahs at the end of May. The side will likely be led by South African Willie Britz who starts at No.8.
The Lions will be quite familiar with the position their sitting in, currently placed second in the combined log.
They will look to rectify the blunder they committed in 2016 by finishing top of the log in the regular 2017 season.
The home side will be without their captain and Springbok captain, Warren Whitely, who suffered an injury during the Springboks’ successful June Test Series against France.
They will be led by Springbok flanker Jaco Kriel who looked impressive for the Boks, after returning from injury.
Despite being without their regular captain, the Lions still boast nine Springboks in the starting XV.
Ross Cronje returns from concussion to partner up with fellow Bok Elton Jantjies.
The likes of Malcom Marx, Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith will look to dominate upfront in the forward pack, while the likely back row comprising of Courtnall Skosan, Andries Coetzee and Ruan Combrinck will be too much to handle on attack.
Prediction
The Lions are on a hot home winning streak having won their last 12 games on home turf.
There is no doubt that the Lions are to walk away as victors, but it is a case of by how much.
They should run away with it by 30 points or more.
Pinetree
Guest
Bfc - There were 12 changes in the Sunwolves team from when they played the Cheetahs, so it was the Sunwolves 2nd string team. I seem to remember the Tahs' putting a B team against the Crusaders in 2002, and they got 90 odd points put on them, and the Tahs' were 2nd on the table that year. Maybe not fair to be too harsh on the Sunwolves performance.
Mike
Guest
Super Rugby suffers from trying too hard to grow. The Japanese don't care, the Argentines don't care, most Aussies don't care, SA teams totally in the "I don't know or care spectrum" for most Aussie Union supporters! The Americans will never give a sh#t in general. In the whole world there is only 1 maybe 2 countries of note where rugby is the Number 1 sport. I lost my point. But f#ck you New Zealand!
Bfc
Guest
Jeez...second highest margin in Super Rugby. Not a great sign for Super Rugby as a product...though the Reds have the record losing margin (under Eddie Jones or Phil Mooney...?)...
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
If you ever wanted evidence that Super Rugby is broken this is it. Scorched earth policy and start again please.
Pinetree
Guest
I thought the Sunwolves making 12 changes to the previous starting line up was going to end in disaster for them! Great training run for the Lions after the break. 2 competition points behind the Crusaders now....
Mike
Guest
Good to see some improvement from the Japanese team.
midnight_mangler
Guest
Thanks Vusi for the commentary! Lions looking in good nick, although the Sunwolves redefined ordinary in this game....
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
80' Ruan Combrinck scores an intercept try. Faf de Klerk converts. Lions 94-7 Sunwolves
Lions on fire
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
77' Ackerman scores another for the Lions. The Lions are just too much for the Sunwolves. Lions 87-7 Sunwolves
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
70'
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
65' Faf with a quick throw to Skosan and they won't catch him. Combrinck converts. Lions 65-0 Sunwolves
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
62' The Sunwolves finally enter their first try through Helu. Ogura converts. Lions 59-7 Sunwolves.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
58' Great break by Faf de Klerk who throws a cut out pass to Combrinck to enter his second try. Conversion missed. Lions 59-0 Sunwolves.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
53' The flood have opened for the Lions as they enter back-to-back converted tries by Combrinck and Kriel to extend the lead to 54-0.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
After stringing a couple of phases the Sunwolves get awarded a penalty and opt for a lineout.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
Lions win their own lineout and maul it for a try. Janjties misses the conversion. Lions 40-0 Sunwolves
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
Penalty to the Lions as the visitors are caught offside.
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
The second half is underway!
Vusi Gubeni
Roar Guru
The Lions head into the half time break with a dominant 35-0 performance. The international break seems to have not affected home side's performance is Super Rugby