It’s ‘lekker’ to face Jantjies

Veteran Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn says he is looking forward to a “lekker” challenge against the Lions’ Elton Jantjies when the teams meet in a Currie Cup semifinal at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Steyn, who returned to the Bulls last year and appeared in four previous Currie Cup finals for the Pretoria-based team, winning the title in 2006 and 2009, said the Lions would pose challenges all across the field, with Jantjies obviously a key man.

He added the men from Joburg were strong up front and had flair among the backs, and could play both a free-flowing game and a more strategic one.

“The Lions have a good pack, exciting backs and a good No 10 who controls the game,” said Steyn, who turned out for Stade Francais from 2013 until his return to Pretoria last year.

“We are ready to play a running game or a kicking game. Elton controls the game well; he has a good tactical game at flyhalf and I’m looking forward to a lekker challenge against him.”

Steyn added it would be nice to out-do the Lions man in a big game.

“If you don’t want to be the best then you should rather stop playing rugby, and obviously I want to be better than my opponent.”

Meanwhile, Lions coach Cash van Rooyen said yesterday there was one “opponent” he was more wary of than the Bulls ahead of the big semifinal at Loftus: the dreaded coronavirus.

Despite being in playoff mode ahead of the match, Van Rooyen stressed the semifinal teams had to remain vigilant and come to terms with disrupted routines.

“We’re still testing every week and our training sessions are still shorter than would normally be the case,” said Van Rooyen.

“We still train with masks, while team meetings are less frequent and shorter, so there’s been a big change to our daily routine.”

The Lions boss lauded the players and staff at the union for their efforts over the festive period in ensuring rugby was able to continue into 2021.

“One can’t control what is out of your hands and I really want to take my hat off to the guys and congratulate them for giving up family gatherings, like Christmas and New Year,” said Van Rooyen.

“It’s important that rugby has been able to continue, even while fans are not allowed.

“I’m sure they’ll enjoy the Currie Cup semifinals and final. The sacrifices that have been made have been worth it.”