Van Rooyen warns Lions must lift their game for Bulls derby

Ivan van Rooyen, the Lions coach, believes his team must raise their standards significantly for their Jukskei derby against the Bulls next Saturday at Loftus Versfeld. The Lions have won both of their URC matches so far, defeating the Ospreys 35-19 and Leinster 27-26. However, Van Rooyen warned that a performance like that will not be enough against the Bulls.

"Today's performance won't be enough against the Bulls next week," he stated. "It’s a typical derby, so it’s going to be massive set-piece, huge physicality." The Bulls have shown they want to play more physically, which presents both challenges and opportunities for the Lions. Captain Francke Horn revealed that the forwards decided during the half-time break to roll up their sleeves and implement maul tries if necessary.

Van Rooyen praised his players' ability to adapt after an untidy opening half. He emphasized that the Lions simplified their approach in the second half and aimed to exploit any gaps they could find. The Lions can draw confidence from their 43-33 victory over the Bulls last season, but Van Rooyen anticipates a much different challenge this time.

The Bulls will have some speed out wide and a strong pack, making it a new and unique game for the Lions. Van Rooyen also hinted that returning Springboks Morné van den Berg and Quan Horn could start against the Bulls, adding to the selection challenges for the team. With already nine points from their opening two matches, the Lions have made an excellent start to their campaign, but Van Rooyen is aware that the upcoming derby will be a crucial test.