When diminutive Cardiff scrumhalf Johan Mulder lined up giant Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye for a tackle, there should have been only one winner, but David and Goliath-type contests are what make rugby such a great sport.
The 84kg Mulder ferociously drove the 148kg Ntlabakanye back several metres in the United Rugby Championship fixture in the Welsh capital, and the big fellow hasn’t lived it down as the video clip went viral.
It would have further annoyed Ntlabakanye that the not-so-Welsh sounding Mulder is a compatriot from South Africa — he went to school at Affies in Pretoria and studied at the University of Pretoria. Mulder also played for Griquas.
Esto de Johan Mulder (1,78m, 83 kilos) a Asenathi Ntlabakanye (1,83m, 153 kilos)...pic.twitter.com/2cE5XPwZgI
— Javier Señarís Senra (@RutgerBlume) March 21, 2025
“I have not heard the end of it,” Ntlabakanye said wryly in a press conference from Glasgow, where the Lions play the Warriors on Saturday (kick-off 9.35pm). “My roommate, Rynhardt Jonker, hasn’t stopped.”
Ntlabakanye has cultivated a reputation for delivering big hits and his teammates think it is hilarious that he received a taste of his own medicine from the smallest player on the field.
“I’m just hoping that at some point I get the opportunity to return the favour to him (Mulder),” Ntlabakanye smiled.
It was good day for Mulder because Cardiff got over the line (20-17) in dubious circumstances (the Lions were disallowed a try at the death) although the visitors had plenty of earlier chances to clinch the win.
“Last week was a missed opportunity,” Ntlabakanye said ruefully. “When we reviewed our game, I thought we played very well. We just weren’t clinical in our finishing. That has been our work-on this week — nailing the opportunities when we are in the opposition danger zone.
“Playing here in Europe is a bit different (to South Africa),” the 25-year-old added. “There are other factors involved. If you don’t capitalise on your opportunities, the home team know how to play the conditions. So we need to be better in that aspect against Glasgow.”
Wing Richard Kriel partnered Ntlabakanye in the media conference and he acknowledged that the Lions’ defence will have their hands full against the champions.
“Glasgow are a very good attacking team,” Kriel said. “They play a great brand of rugby under coach Franco Smith. I have known Franco for a few years (both are from Bloemfontein). We have been prepping accordingly all week. It is another game and opportunity to test ourselves. We are very excited about this challenge.”
Kriel said a good way of containing the Warriors is to fight fire with fire.
“You have to fire your own shots against Glasgow,” he said. “We have seen that with the opponents they have faced over the last few weeks, especially Munster at the weekend (the Warriors won 28-25 in an entertaining game). If you keep the ball, it prevents them attacking. That is part of our plan but let’s see what happens on the day.”
Kriel said that he watched his brother, David, kick the Bulls to victory over Leinster last week. He said he had no doubt the cliffhanger kick was going over.
“That is what David does. He practices his goal-kicking a lot. I would have been disappointed if it hadn’t gone over. I’m very happy for him.”