JOHANNESBURG — Leinster senior coach Jacques Nienaber is under no illusions that the Lions will prove a tough nut to crack as the defending United Rugby Championship champions get their season underway against the Johannesburg-based outfit at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The Irish side have brought a strong squad to South Africa, but Nienaber highlighted that Ivan van Rooyen’s charges cannot be underestimated heading into the new season.

The Lions won the South African Shield last season and secured their highest-ever finish in the URC, ending seventh and securing Champions Cup qualification for the first time in their history.

They are a side packed with young talent and played some sublime rugby at times, with their transitional attack and ability to score from deep a highlight.

Nienaber highlighted how the Lions pushed the All Blacks all the way in their match during the Greatest Rivalry tour, eventually going down 41-35.

“The Lions are a very proud team, and they’re a force to be reckoned with, as they showed when they played against the All Blacks,” Nienaber said.

“Ellis Park is a ground where they really put their heart and soul into defending. So it will be a nice challenge for us.

“They won the South African conference [last season].

“There’s been a South African team in the final in each of the last five finals, so it’s a tough task to come to South Africa, and to the Lions as well,” he added.

Saturday’s match at Ellis Park kicks off at 13:30.