I`ll attempt to play Nostradamus here- big Rod So`oialo will be welcomed back to the Highveld with open arms. First, in approx. the 30th minute, Pretorius will kick the ball into the Canes 22, and big Rod will get the pass. He`ll then proceed to have his 1st moment of brain-freeze, throwing a pass straight into the hands of a very surprised Wylie Human, for a 7-pointer under the sticks.
Then, in approx. the 50th minute, with the Canes less than a metre from the Lions line, he`ll have brain-freeze moment no.2, obstructing a defender and causing teammate Hore to lose out on what should have been a perfectly legitimate try.
Finally, in the 78th minute, with the Canes leading 18-20, he`ll have brain-freeze moment no.3- joining the ruck from the side, presenting Pretorius with a 35m shot at goal from straight out in front.
Oops, sorry, that was last year, and in Rustenburg, not Ellis Park! Seriously though, if the Canes can field all of their 1st-choice AB`s for this one, the Lions` back row will be put under tremendous pressure, and I just can`t see the youngsters stopping them big boys for the full 80 minutes. Could be closer than a lot of people may think, the Lions youngsters have certainly not been afraid to put their bodies on the line this season, but there`s just too much class in the Canes side. Unless of course big Rod can recapture his highveld form of last year......