The Lions welcome the Vodacom Bulls for Round 11 of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship for the historic Jukskei Derby taking place at Ellis Park this Saturday.

Both Gauteng-based sides will be looking to climb the tournament log this weekend, with ambitions for the home side to claim the SA Shield with a string of home derbies next month.

Ivan van Rooyen’s charges will draw inspiration from their recent 33-43 victory over their neighbours in November last year, but ‘Cash’ believes Saturday will present a stiffer challenge against Johan Ackermann’s men.

“Obviously, they’ll be hurting from the result at Loftus,” Van Rooyen said. “But they’ve got some superstars returning in Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Marcell Coetzee, and mentally they’ll be a very different team after the two results they got overseas. We’ll have to rise to that emotional level and physical level,” he said.

“Of course, we’ve got plans, they’ve got plans- but I think the team that can execute under pressure on Saturday, and enforce their strengths more often during the 80 minutes will emerge successful, he added.

Saturday sees a settled Lions 23 in terms of selection, with Chris Smith tasked to control matters for his side against his former employers. A familiar loose-trio lead by skipper Francke Horn will brace themselves for an anticipated physical tussle against what will no doubt be a brutal quest for dominance.

In the backline, Springbok Quan Horn provides stability with Richard Kriel and Angelo Davids on the left and right wings respectively.

Kick off at Ellis Park Stadium is at 14:30

Lions 23 vs Vodacom Bulls

1.           SJ Kotze

2.           PJ Botha

3.           Asenathi Ntlabakanye

4.           Ruben Schoeman

5.           Reinhard Nothnagel

6.           Jarod Cairns

7.           Batho Hlekani

8.           Francke Horn (c)

9.           Morne van den Berg

10.         Chris Smith

11.         Richard Kriel

12.         Bronson Mills

13.         Henco van Wyk

14.         Angelo Davids

15.         Quan Horn

Replacements

16.         Morne Brandon

17.         RF Schoeman

18.         Conraad van Vuuren

19.         Etienne Oosthuizen

20.         Darrien Landsberg

21.         Renzo du Plessis

22.         Haashim Pead

23.         Erich Cronje