Their coach, Ryan Felix said the squad had been hit by injuries this week and acknowledged they would be facing a tough match in Johannesburg.

“We are struggling with injuries at the moment and we know that the Lions will come out with all guns blazing this weekend,” Felix said. “But we are pleased with the better performance against the Sharks and we have set ourselves goals which we would like to achieve against the Lions.

“Ever since the players have returned from the mid-season break, they have been eager to improve on their performances and there is a really good vibe in the camp.”

The u19s also picked up their seventh consecutive win against the Sharks and are still sitting pretty comfortable at the top of the ABSA U19 Championship log on 31 points, 6 points ahead of the the second placed Blue Bulls on 25.

The Lions, though, will be arguably the team’s toughest challenge of the season. The visitors were well-placed in their first round encounter in Port Elizabeth, leading 19-6 before fading in the second half to go down 28 – 19.

However, Stick’s team have built up a wonderful spirit this season and their teamwork has been the hallmark of their success. They have often managed to extricate themselves from tight situations and and they will need all those qualities as the challenges become increasingly tense in the run-in to the playoffs.

EP U19:

15 Keanu Vers 14 Dominik Uytenbogaardt 13 Yamkela Nyalambisa 12 Jeremy Ward 11 Athi Mayinje 10 Michael Brink 9 James Hall 8 Junior Pokomela 7 Hayden Tharratt 6 SF Nieuwoudt 5 Lusanda Badiyana 4 Robert Lyons 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen 2 Thango Balekile 1 Xandre Vos

Replacements:

16 Masikane Mazwi 17 Greg Jackson 18 Kuhle Mokhoabane 19 Xolisa Matshoba 20 Wihan Coetzer 21 Sibusiso Ngcokovane 22 Garrick Mattheus 23 Avelo Jubase

EP U21:

15 Malcolm Jaer 14 Lindelwe Zungu 13 Somila Jho 12 Sam Bedlow 11 Warren Swarts 10 MC Venter 9  Franswa Ueckermann 8 Kevin Kaba (c) 7  Brandon Brown 6 CJ Velleman 5 Tyler Paul 4 Wynand Grassmann 3 Thembelihle Yase 2 JP Jamieson 1 David Murray

Replacements:

16 Jedwyn Harty 17 Matthew Moore 19 Jan Uys 20 Jason Reinecke 21 Luvo Claasen 22 Leighton van Wyk 23 Khaya Malotana