‘Hungry’ Lions primed to face Bulls

by | Nov 28, 2025 | African Golf News

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Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen hopes the international break has prepared his team for a second Vodacom URC block they’ve traditionally found tough.

Van Rooyen said his side is “refreshed, prepared and hungry” ahead of Saturday’s Jukskei derby against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus Versfeld, after what he describes as a perfectly timed three-week preparation block.

After a winless tour to start the campaign, the Lions hit their straps heading into the three-week break with consecutive home wins over the Scarlets and Ulster.

But instead of lamenting the timing of the international break which interrupted momentum, Van Rooyen says it actually came at the ideal moment.

“We had a week off and then three weeks of hard work,” he said. “Some good work, some really hard work. Physical work, Lions identity work. We feel we really had an exceptional three weeks.”

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The coach believes this preparation block has left the squad far better positioned than in previous seasons.

“Last year, a large part of the group didn’t get a rest. This time, we feel a lot better prepared for the second block, which traditionally we haven’t been that strong in.”

Van Rooyen admitted that the middle stretch of the season remains a challenge.

“We spoke about it quite a bit. We need to be a lot more consistent in the second block. There’s travel, rotation, all the local derbies – we were open and honest about it, and we need to be better.”

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Despite missing key men Morne van den Berg and Asenathi Ntlabakanye who will feature for the Springboks against Wales in Cardiff, he remains bullish.

“The guys we have are looking good and they offer something different,” Van Rooyen said. “Obviously we’re going to miss Morne and Asenathi – they’re leaders, they’re ysters — but we feel confident in the guys replacing them.”

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As for the Bulls, Van Rooyen said they expected a massive challenge at Loftus.

Kick-off is at 2pm.

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

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