While the star-studded Lions did their best to satisfy the demands of the hungry media pack earlier today, their next opponents were taking things a little easier ahead of what is a huge game for them in more ways than one.

One of the rising stars within the Cheetahs’ ranks is 22-year-old JW Jonker – a product of the famous Grey College here in Bloemfontein. Normally a centre, he will line up on the wing against the Lions and is determined to make the most of the occasion at Vodacom Park.

“I’m very excited and feel privileged to be able to play against the best and to see where I stand at the moment,” he said as we chatted in the Bloemfontein sunshine, “and I would love to play against Shane Williams.”

His wish is our command. The compact Jonker, blessed with cracking pace that makes him a valuable and versatile weapon, will go up against the former IRB Player of the Year this weekend.

The Golden Lions were criticised for their lack of fight after they capitulated to the tourists in their last clash but Jonker assured me that would not be the case with the Cheetahs.

“We don’t want to play that way,” he said before offering an indication of what to expect from his side. “I think the way that we are going to take them will be more physical, we’re not going to play a loose game and we’re not going to allow them momentum.

“The Lions play a lot around the fringes like the Sharks and the Crusaders who we beat in the Super 14 so I think there is a lot of confidence in this team. We think they play a similar game and it will be good to give them a good game and a win would be awesome.”

Jonker, who starred in the junior ranks, announced his arrival on the senior stage with a try in a practice match against the Springboks that catapulted him into the Currie Cup side as a 19-year-old and shared in their recent successes before stepping up to the Super 14.

For now the dream international call-up may not be within his reach but with the eyes of the rugby world focused on the Lions’ latest clash he is keen to show what he can do.

“I’ve played Super 14 against the best in the southern hemisphere and it would be awesome for me to play against the northern hemisphere’s best,” he added enthusiastically.

In the immediate future Jonker is keen to secure a move overseas to develop his game and broaden his horizons.

“For me, the goal is to move onto something else and go overseas for a new beginning and some new challenges. The national side at the moment is not on the radar. The guys in the Boks’ line-up now have been there for four or five years and they’re still only 25 or 26 years old.

“The first prize for me is to move overseas for maybe three years and get on the radar for the national side.”

As a result Jonker will be treating Saturday’s clash as a shop window and is hoping to tempt someone into buying.