Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye is eager to continue building on the big opportunities he has been given, as the Johannesburg side prepare to take on Stade Francais in a Challenge Cup clash in Paris on Saturday evening.
Ntlabakanye has thrust into the starting tighthead berth for the Lions, after an injury to first choice Ruan Dreyer last month, and has built up a good head of steam over the past few games.
In last week’s URC match against Munster, despite a heavy 33-3 loss, Ntlabakanye starred in an impressive front line performance from the Lions who had the hosts on the back foot throughout the game, and he will now look to take that form this weekend. corresponding.
“The opportunity for me is very good. I think we have a good system at the Lions and we are really blessed with tight props, if you look at people like Ruan Dreyer, Ruan Smith, myself and the guys below me,” said Ntlabakanye.
“I thought (the performance against Munster) was great. It gave me a lot of confidence. I feel good and hopefully I can carry that performance into the weekend.
The Lions will once again play on an artificial pitch this weekend, this time at the Stade Jean-Bouin, and this is something that the forward pack will have to deal with, while they will also have to deal with a bit of a problem. different game from their French hosts.
“You have to change a little bit. You don’t get the same grip as normal grass, so you have to adapt your game. But I think this weekend we will adapt faster than we did against Munster,” said Ntlabakanye.
“We cannot control what Stade Francais will do at the weekend. It is a different competition, but our preparation remains the same. We have not changed anything from our side. The situation is almost the same (as we have experienced in England).
“The style of play is a bit different. The French are a bit more physical, more around the rucks. While the English side have more talent and throw the ball less. It’s a different challenge, but that’s what we can do.