Pieter Jordaan

Johannesburg – Western Province have so many quality players that Lions coach John Mitchell says he has had to do the most homework to date this week to analyse an opponent.

Win: Lions vs WP tickets

While WP have lost their last two Currie Cup games, Mitchell has enough reasons to be concerned ahead of Friday’s match at Coca-Cola Park. Province beat the Lions 32-0 at Newlands in their last meeting.

“Their quality has led to me having to do more homework than before. But we have thought about taking them on physically. We can do it if we take the right attitude into the game,” said Mitchell.

The Lions coach said before the start of the competition that he believes WP set the standard for structured defence.

“But anyone’s defence can be beaten and we have seen that these past two weeks,” Mitchell said in reference to WP’s losses to the Sharks and Free State Cheetahs.

“We’re looking forward to finding the gaps in their defence. Believe it or not, there are gaps.”

The choice of Derick Minnie and Josh Strauss as flanks, as well as the omission of Renaldo Bothma, shows that the Lions want to take WP on physically.

He also does not believe it will be easier to play against WP now following their recent defeats.

“Their own errors were largely to blame for their downfall. Province are hurting after their defeats and I expect it to be a good duel.”

The Capetonians won’t lack physicality with a loose-trio of Francois Louw, Nick Koster and Duane Vermeulen.

The Lions themselves are developing a dangerous team, even though Mitchell does not want to talk about it too hastily.

“We want to get ourselves in a position from where we want to play in finals and be competitive. But there is still a long road ahead. We’re sowing the seeds now and it’s a very positive environment to be part of,” said the former All Blacks coach.

The Lions have youngsters Elton Jantjies and Jaco Taute at flyhalf and fullback respectively. By contrast, WP have the experienced Willem de Waal and Conrad Jantjes.

Even so, WP will remember well how their last Currie Cup visit here ended in tears. The Lions’ victory last year ensured that WP did not finish at the top of the log.