The Waratahs face the Lions at 3:10am (AEST) on Sunday morning at Ellis Park and the match will be crucial in determining who will make the finals.
Form
Waratahs: WWLWW
Lions: WLWLW
The Waratahs and Lions have played 17 times with the Waratahs winning 15 times and the Lions winning twice. The Waratahs currently sit 2nd on the ladder whilst the Lions currently sit 7th, however, his could significantly change if the Lions defeat the Waratahs this weekend.
What They Said
Lions coach Johan Ackermann has put the pressure on the Waratahs by claiming that Sunday’s match will be like the “Lions versus the Wallabies”.
“They’ve been together for quite a while now and they’ve obviously been coached well and if you look at the number of Australian caps in that side it is almost like the Lions against Australia,” Ackermann told Sport24 website in South Africa.
“It is an Australian side with about 80 per cent players (that) have played for Australia and a lot of those players will be in the World Cup.
“So that is the challenge that lies ahead for us, but it is a great one for the players and for the team, against a quality side.”
Key Match-Ups
Jaco Kriel vs Jaques Potgieter
Kriel has been a powerhouse for the Lions this year, scoring four tries and making 36 tackle busts for the season. He also has a big presence at the breakdown. Kriel will come up against fellow countryman Jacques Potgieter who returns to the side after a couple of weeks out with injury. Potgieter’s aggression will be welcomed back into the side especially after the suspension of Will Skelton.
Elton Jantjies v Bernard Foley
Elton Jantjies has been pivotal to the Lions success this year. His goal kicking and general running game will be very dangerous against the Waratahs.
Foley has been solid for the Waratahs all season been returned to some of his best form last weekend.
Prediction
Ellis Park will provide a great opportunity for a wide, expansive game. Whilst the Lions have proved they are more then capable of playing this style and winning, I think it will suit the Waratahs just a bit more. In saying that, it’s never easy to win in South Africa.
Waratahs by 5.
Lions v Waratahs
 |  | 
|
| Schalk van der Merwe | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Armand van der Merwe | 2 | Hugh Roach |
| Julian Redelinghuys | 3 | Sekope Kepu |
| Martin Muller | 4 | Mitchell Chapman |
| Franco Mostert | 5 | Dave Dennis (c) |
| Jaco Kriel | 6 | Stephen Hoiles |
| Warwick Tecklenburg | 7 | Michael Hooper |
| Warren Whiteley | 8 | Wycliff Palu |
| Faf de Klerk | 9 | Nick Phipps |
| Elton Jantjies | 10 | Bernard Foley |
| Courtnall Skosan | 11 | Rob Horne |
| Harold Vorster | 12 | Kurtley Beale |
| Lionel Mapoe | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| Ruan Combrinck | 14 | Taqele Naiyaravoro |
| Andries Coetzee | 15 | Israel Folau |
| Reserves | ||
| Malcolm Marx | 16 | Dave Porecki |
| Corne Fourie | 17 | Jeremy Tilse |
| Ruan Dreyer | 18 | Paddy Ryan |
| Robert Kruger | 19 | Jacques Potgieter |
| Kwagga Smith | 20 | Dean Mumm |
| Ross Cronje | 21 | Pat McCutcheon |
| Marnitz Boshoff | 22 | Brendan McKibbin |
| Stokkies Hanekom | 23 | Matt Carraro |
| Location: | Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg | |
| Kickoff: | Sun 31 May 3:10 | |
| Referee: | Jaco Peyper | |
| Assistant Ref 1: | Jaco van Heerden | |
| Assistant Ref 2: | Pro Legote | |
| TMO : | Johan Greeff |
