Lions Purr With Quiet Confidence Before The Jukskei Derby

Ruan Venter's knowing smile left the sense of a quiet but deeply held inner confidence before Saturday's United Rugby Championship URC Jukskei Derby against the Bulls at Ellis Park.

Venter and his Lions teammates will run out against a Bulls team that displayed poor form until they got back into their stride against woeful Stade Francais last weekend.

We will play them no matter what form. They can come at us. We are ready, said Venter when asked whether they prefer to play a Bulls team that is deflated or one with their chests out.

Perhaps the visitors have reason to be bullish as they travel down the N1 for the match. They have won four of their five clashes against the Lions in the URC. Moreover, they are yet to lose at Ellis Park in the URC.

Last year the Lions ran the Bulls close at Loftus Versfeld but suffered a bitter defeat at the death when flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse's penalty drifted wide. We didn't reflect on it that much, said Venter. We know the South African derbies are going to be the most difficult in the campaign. To play the Bulls at home is exciting.