Batho Hlekani: Lions Must Convert in 22 vs All Blacks

Batho Hlekani watched the Springboks squander chance after chance from the stands at Ellis Park on Saturday night, and the 21-year-old flanker has a simple message for the Lions: do not make the same mistake. South Africa dominated territory and possession for large periods of that 33-16 defeat, entering the All Blacks 22 on 11 occasions but walking away with just one try. Hlekani was there in person, and it kept him up all night.

Lions Learn from Springboks' Costly Mistakes

'I didn't sleep well at all after Saturday's result,' he said. 'I was here at the match, and I hope the Boks will rectify their errors, but we also have our own match to play.' That match arrives Tuesday night when the Lions host New Zealand at Emirates Airline Park, with Hlekani set to feature in what is a significant occasion for a franchise still in pre-season mode.

The Lions have named their strongest available side for the fixture, bolstered by the release of fullback Quan Horn and prop Boan Venter from the Springbok squad, with Venter set to make his Lions debut. Hlekani, who has been part of Springbok alignment camps, knows exactly what the step-up in intensity demands. 'The training level at the Boks is very high, and there's the pace of the match we need to keep up with,' he said. 'We need to be physical against the All Blacks, along with the speed and intensity of the match.'

Red Zone Efficiency Critical Against All Blacks

The red-zone lesson from Saturday is non-negotiable. 'We need to make sure that when we get into the 22m, we must score because we can't be wasting those chances,' Hlekani said pointedly. 'We saw what happened in the Bok match when the chances in the 22m aren't used.' It is a stark and honest read from a young forward who has seen top-level preparation up close and understands the margin for error against this All Blacks side is essentially zero.

Hlekani's First Opportunity Against New Zealand

For Hlekani personally, Tuesday represents uncharted territory in the best possible way. 'I've never thought about getting the chance of playing against the All Blacks, so I'm really looking forward to this opportunity,' he said. 'I'm feeling so good about this opportunity, and when I woke up today, I've been thinking about the chance that's come my way.' The Lions come into the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series having drawn 22-22 with the Sharks in their last Currie Cup outing — a result that underlines why this group needs a statement performance to shift the narrative around their season.

The Springboks will get their own crack at redemption on Saturday at DHL Stadium, Cape Town, where the series continues. But before that, the Lions have a chance to land a blow of their own — and Hlekani's message to his teammates is clear: get into that 22, and finish.