Date: Saturday, 19 October 2024
Time: 12:30
Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Introduction
The Emirates Lions head to Italy with confidence brimming from their unbeaten start to the season. Fresh off a nail-biting 23-19 win over Dragons, they’ll now face Zebre Parma, who will be eager to make a statement on home turf. With the Lions holding a spotless record against Zebre, this fixture promises to be an exciting clash in the charming city of Parma.
Current Form and Standings
The Lions are enjoying a perfect season so far, sitting third in the standings with 14 points from three wins. Zebre, meanwhile, are languishing near the bottom, in 15th place, with just one win out of four matches. It’s an uphill battle for the Italians, but the passionate home crowd will be hoping for an upset.
Key Player Performances
Rabz Maxwane has been outstanding for the Lions, leading the URC try-scoring with four tries. Kade Wolhuter has also been pivotal, amassing 26 points with his accurate kicking. For Zebre, Alessandro Fusco and Jacopo Trulla have provided sparks, but the team needs a collective performance to topple the roaring Lions.
Head-to-Head and Historical Insights
The Lions and Zebre have met three times, with the Lions claiming victory in each encounter. Their last match saw the Lions overpower Zebre 61-19 in November 2023, with Zebre struggling to match the Lions’ intensity and pace.
Tactical Breakdown
The Lions’ strategy will likely involve powerful forward play to control the game’s tempo, followed by spreading the ball wide to exploit gaps in the Zebre defense. Zebre will need to shore up their defense and look for counter-attacking opportunities, especially off Lions’ errors. Expect them to play with the pressure off, hoping to catch the Lions off-guard with quick ball movement.
Fun Fact
Zebre’s only win over a South African team in the URC came in November 2023, when they defeated the Sharks 12-10 in Parma.
Final Thoughts
The Lions come into this fixture as heavy favorites, but Zebre are no strangers to pulling off surprises at home. While the Lions aim to continue their perfect run, Zebre will be driven to defend their territory fiercely.
Did You Know?
The Lions have scored an impressive 113 points so far this season, averaging almost 38 points per game.