SAM'S MAGICAL UNICORN RIDE

De Klerk will take reins to slow down Simmonds

- Alex Spink

SAM SIMMONDS and Faf de Klerk start a two-month battle today, with the Springbok admitting the Lion poses a “massive” threat.

Simmonds, the Premiership’s player of the season, is tasked with guiding Exeter to a sixth straight Grand Final.

De Klerk, Sale’s pocket dynamo scrum-half, plans to thwart him and then repeat the trick across the three-Test Boks-Lions series.

“Sam’s ability to score tries is there for all to see,” said De Klerk. “He is phenomenally quick over the park, links well with players and is a massive threat to any team.