Steyn expects aerial chess as Lions prepare to topple Ulstermen

Lions assistant coach Morne Steyn feels that Saturday’s home United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Irish visitors Ulster will likely be decided by whichever side executes their kicking game better on the highveld.

The Lions picked up a bonus-point win over the struggling Scarlets last weekend on their return from a testing European tour – their first win of the season. But Steyn admits they will need to sharpen up against an Ulster side that demonstrated their tactical precision and aerial strength in last weekend’s victory over the Springbok-laden Sharks in Durban.

“Ulster are a quality side, like all the Irish teams,” Steyn said, at an online media conference on Tuesday morning.

“They’ve got great forwards and exciting backs. From nine to 15, almost all of them can kick, and that’s quite something.

“It’s also going to be a physical battle, but luckily we play here in Joburg. Hopefully we can tire them out a bit, run them around, and get points on the board.”

Steyn, one of South African rugby’s most accomplished tactical kickers, believes the Lions’ contestable kicking game could again prove crucial, with veteran flyhalf Chris Smith often central to that plan. The team’s wingers have excelled in regaining possession from pinpoint cross-kicks and aerial bombs, a feature of their play that helped the Joburg side turn recent matches in their favour.

“At the moment our kicking game is working well for us,” Steyn said.

“Chris Smith has slotted in nicely at flyhalf. I played with him at the Bulls, so I know what he brings. He’s calm, takes control of the game, and runs it nicely.

“Then you have great wingers contesting in the air and winning the ball back. Hopefully, we can take the same game into this weekend and maybe get the same result.”

While Smith’s goal-kicking was slightly off target last time out, Steyn insists there is no cause for alarm.

“Chris didn’t have a great day off the tee, but that happens to any kicker,” he said.

“A lot of teams haven’t been kicking well early in the season. It was an off day, but I’m sure he’ll be back on track this weekend.”

The Lions’ preparations have once again been hampered by injuries, with scrumhalf Morne “Krappie” van den Berg still ruled out and powerful loose forward JC Pretorius sidelined for up to four months with a knee injury, having only recently returned from a similar setback.

“We’re still struggling with injuries,” Steyn admitted.

“Krappie is not 100% fit, so we don’t want to risk him. It’s sad to lose JC – he’s one of our top players, and we’re really going to miss him.

“Next week’s break gives Krappie two weeks to recover properly, and he’s also part of the Boks, so you don’t want to risk him.”

Despite a below-par performance last weekend, the Lions still collected maximum points, and Steyn feels it’s a sign of progress, while acknowledging that unbeaten Ulster will be a different challenge.

“I don’t think it was our best game, but we still got five points,” he said.

“Against Ulster we’ll get limited chances, so it’s about using them well. Hopefully we can get the points on the board quickly, quicken the game and maybe tire them a bit, and pull off a great one.”

Kick-off on Saturday at Ellis Park is at 1.45pm.