With finals aspirations of their own, the Lions are plotting to put a major dent in the Brumbies' Super Rugby playoff hopes in Johannesburg on Sunday (AEST).
The most improved team in the competition are on a fresh high after pulling off a memorable comeback win over the high-flying Highlanders last outing and are eager to ride the momentum all the way to an historic first finals appearance.
With seven wins already this campaign, the Lions fear no one - and certainly not a Brumbies outfit walking the finals tightrope after four defeats in their past five games.
"We know that when we stick to our structure we can be competitive against any team in this competition," Lions captain Warren Whiteley said ahead of the critical round-14 clash at Ellis Park.
The concern for the Brumbies is the Lions are planning to run the visitors ragged.
"The Brumbies are a well organised team but if we can move the ball around and keep it alive, I know we'll be able to create opportunities," said Lions coach Johan Ackermann.
"It's going to be a matter of getting the balance right against them. That is, knowing when to attack and when to play a more tactical game."
The Brumbies have been boosted by the return of playmaker Matt Toomua from an ankle injury.
Toomua admits the Brumbies need to expected the unexpected from their instinctive opponents.
"They're very tough at home. They're actually an exciting team to watch. They love to play from their own end, they love quick lineouts and offloads, all that stuff," Toomua said.
"They're probably unorthodox for a South African team in that sense. They're far less reliant on the set piece. They actually enjoy playing a bit of rugby.
"So our defence has been pretty good this year and it's going to have to be strong this weekend."
The Brumbies conceded a whopping 19 penalties - six of which Demetri Catrakilis converted into 18 points - in last weekend's heart-breaking 25-24 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town.
The ill-discipline left Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham fuming and Toomua says there can be no repeat against the Lions.
"They've got two blokes who really could probably kick for their country," he said.
"Our discipline was very poor last week, so we've got to be better."
The Brumbies are sitting in third spot entering the match, but the eighth-placed Lions can leapfrog them with victory so tight is the competition table.
With a bye and no competition points on offer next weekend, a win is imperative for the Brumbies.
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