Lions v Jaguares Super Rugby Preview

The Lions and Jaguares face off in a clash which has historically been won by the home side. The Lions will be vying for their third straight Super Rugby final and will be hope it will be third time lucky.

The Jaguares, on the other hand, have enoyed their best season in the competition and went seven games unbeaten before falling to the Bulls a weeks ago. The Argentines will be making their first appearance in the Super Rugby playoffs.

Team News:

The Lions have made two changes to their starting lineup with Aphiwe Dyantyi replacing Courtnall Skosan in the starting XV while Ross Cronje coming in for the injure Nic Groom who has played his final game of the season.

On the bench Dylan Smith returns after recovering from a calf strain, while Dillon Smit takes the vacant 21 jersey. 

Mario Ledesma has made a number of changes to his side to face the Lions with only Pablo Matera and Marco Kremer the only forwards remaining in the starting XV. 

Ledesma has made 5 changes to the starting backline with Matias Moroni and Bautista Delguy with former moving from fullback onto the left wing. 

Matera successfully appealed his two week ban to start the match while Agustin Creevy, Nicholas Sanchez and Emiliano Boffelli are among the other players returning to the side. 

LIONS (15-1): Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronjé, Warren Whiteley (c), Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen.

Reserves:  Corne Fourie, Dylan Smith, Johannes Jonker, Lourens Erasmus, Marnus Schoeman, Dillon Smit, Courtnall Skosan, Howard Mnisi.

JAGUARES (15-1): Emiliano Boffelli, Bautista Delguy, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Matias Moroni, Nicolas Sanchez, Gonzalo Bertranou, Javier Ortega Desio, Tomas Lazana, Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Guido Petti, Nahuel Tetaz, Agustin Creevy, Santiago Botta

Reserves: Julian Montoya, Juan Pablo Zeiss, Santiago Medrano, Matias Alemmano, Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Martin Landajo, Sebastian Cancelliere

Quick Stats:

- Each of the last six games between the Lions and Jaguares has been won by the home team on the day, with each side winning three games apiece

- The Lions have won four of their previous five finals games on home turf, scoring 40+ points on three occasions in that time

- The Jaguares have lost their last eight games in succession in South Africa.

- The Lions (27) and Jaguares (26) have beaten more defenders per game than any other team this campaign.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)

Venue: Ellis Park