Daniel: Nothing 'tougher' about Ellis Park

Cape Town - The Lions, after their journey to the final of Super Rugby 2016, are possibly the most feared side in the country despite their Currie Cup form suggesting otherwise. 

Under the tutelage of coach Johan Ackermann, they have pioneered the art of playing ball-in-hand rugby in South Africa. 

The other unions are all, to an extent, playing a bit of catch-up in that regard. 

Still, with most of their Super Rugby stars on Springbok duty, the Golden Lions go into Friday night's clash against the Sharks knowing that only a victory will keep alive their hopes of making it through to the semi-finals as they look to defend their Currie Cup crown. 

The Lions are the favourites for the clash, but Sharks captain Keegan Daniel has shown no fear in terms of what awaits his side.

"We're in a position now where we have to win, there are no second chances," he said.

"We've taken away that stigma of 'Ja, we're going to the Lions and it's tough there'.

"Rugby is tough wherever you play ... that's the nature of this competition."

Daniel also expressed confidence in his group of players, saying that they could pull off the upset if they played to their potential. 

"We see this as a quarter-final and it will be the same for them," he said.

"If each guy plays to his ability and potential on the weekend then I don't see why we can't leave that game victorious.

"This is the one opportunity that we have and we're going to have to play for 80 minutes to win this game."

Kick-off on Friday is at 17:00.

Teams:

Golden Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Koch Marx, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Ruan Ackermann, 6 Kwagga Smith (captain), 5 Bobby de Wee, 4 JP du Preez, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Dylan Smith

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Fabian Booysen, 19 Cyle Brink, 20 Dillon Smit, 21 Howard Mnisi, 22 Sylvian Mahuza

Sharks

15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Inny Radebe, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit

Substitutes: 16 Franco Marais, 17 John-Hubert Meyer, 18 Stephan Lewies/Jean Droste, 19 Khaya Majola, 20 Stefan Ungerer, 21 Garth April, 22 Wandile Mjekevu