Vodacom Western Province will be wary of a smarting Lions side when they do battle in the final Absa Currie Cup league match of the season at Coca Cola Park in Johannesburg on Saturday.

From the Western Province Website

While WP have a top of the log position to play for the Lions´ attempt to qualify for the semifinals ended in disaster last weekend. But that doesn´t mean WP will go to the former Ellis Park with the idea of walking over the home side.

Captain Luke Watson termed them underrated this week and also said they were unlucky this season and will be difficult to contain on their home ground. Therefore WP can ill-afford any complacency.

“We need to carry the momentum forward to the semi-finals, so we have to ensure our structures are working and that we are accurate. Whether we need the win is irrelevant, we want to win.

“We´re after the four points and if we can score four tries in the process then that´s brilliant,” said the competition´s top try-scorer.

He continued: “The Lions are a very underrated side. They´ve had a raw deal with some decisions and the bounce of the ball hasn´t gone their way in a few matches.

“They are underrated, but we won´t underestimate them. They never give up, and just when you think they aren´t going to rock up, that´s when they rock up. They´ll certainly come out with all guns blazing.”

Province beat them 25-20 after a hard-fought battle at Newlands in the first round.

Coach Allister Coetzee echoed Watson´s words, saying it will be tough to score four tries against a well-organised defence.

“You can see Jake White´s influence in the way they´ve improved their defence, and I don´t think many teams have scored four tries against them. They´ve worked out when to load the rucks and are scrambling very well. They have improved a helluva lot.

“They don´t always rush, and I think it´s up to experienced guys on the field like Peter Grant and Ricky Januarie to recognise that. If they do, those players will ensure the others don´t panic, and also look to utilise the space that sort of defensive pattern allows.”

Teams for Johannesburg:

Vodacom Western Province – Joe Pietersen, Tonderai Chavhanga, Frikkie Welsh, Juan de Jongh, Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson, Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Andries Bekker, Anton van Zyl, JC Kritzinger, Tiaan Liebenberg, Wikus Blaauw.
Reserves: Deon Fourie, JD Moller, De Kock Steenkamp, Pieter Louw, Dewaldt Duvenhage, Matthew To´omua, Gio Aplon.

Xerox Lions – Earl Rose, Dusty Noble, Jannie Boshoff, Doppies la Grange, Johan Jackson, Herkie Kruger, Chris Jonck, Willem Alberts, Derick Minnie, Cobus Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Nico Luus, Kevin Buys, Hans van Dyk, JC Janse van Rensburg.
Reserves: Torrie Meyer, Wayne Swart, Willem Stoltz, Todd Clever, Ruan Boshoff, Walter Venter, Michael Killian.