Boan Venter heads into Saturday's Jukskei Derby at Loftus Versfeld with a personal stake in the outcome, his first season at the Lions bringing him face-to-face with Springbok teammates he knows well from the national camp.
Venter joined the Lions from Edinburgh at the end of last season and is set to square off against Bulls loosehead Francois Klopper — a match-up made more direct by Wilco Louw's move to the Stormers. The Lions go into the match on the back of nine points from their opening two URC rounds, including a win over Leinster and a strong showing against the All Blacks.
"It's definitely a bit more personal," Venter said. "We know all of the guys personally on that side of the Jukskei. We know everyone by name, and some of them we're good mates with. It's a completely different challenge."
Venter was still finding his feet in the Lions' systems when the All Blacks fixture came around — he joined the captain's run the day before the match — but says the transition has since gone smoothly.
"I definitely know a lot more of the guys' names now. I'm settling in, getting used to the structures and the calls. It's a very welcoming group of boys, and the coaches as well. Me and my family are in Johannesburg and I'm really enjoying my time with the Lions."
Despite the Bulls being without Louw, Venter is not downplaying the threat. "Their set-piece is going strong as always. They are physical, and that's what they've been known for for the last few years. We know what's coming; we just need to match fire with fire and see who comes out on top."
On the confidence drawn from the early-season results, Venter is measured. "Obviously it does a lot for your confidence leading into the season. But we know the level that we want to play at and I don't think either of those games has been that. Probably that game against the All Blacks was the closest we've been to a complete game."
His 10 Springbok caps have sharpened his scrumming credentials, and he views the knowledge gained in the national environment as directly transferable. "The guys you get to scrum against in the Springbok camp gives you a lot of experience and teaches you a lot of lessons. The set-piece plays a massive role — if you get that done right, the rest just falls into place much easier."
The Lions are chasing back-to-back Jukskei Derby wins at Loftus, having shocked the Bulls there last season.