Coach Ackermann credits his cool impact players

JOHANNESBURG: The Lions may not have won convincingly in the last two weeks, but they have shown a resolve to get the job done – something that has not gone unnoticed by their coach Johan Ackermann.

And this should stand the team in good stead in the coming weeks, as they look to top the overall Super Rugby standings to give themselves a realistic chance of going all the way this year.

Playing at home in the knockout rounds and in a potential final will be hugely important, as last year Ackermann’s men came up short in the final, played against the Hurricanes in Wellington. But in their two knockout matches at home against the Highlanders and Crusaders, they won.

The last two weeks’ results could prove vital at the end of the competition, as the nine points picked up will be seen by many as a major bonus. They are matches the Lions could easily have lost but their fighting spirit, composure and impact of the replacements all played a part in the team getting past the Jaguares (at home) and the Western Force (in Perth).

Against the men from South America, the Lions trailed 21-14 deep into the second half and also lost Harold Vorster to a yellow card, but a late push by the home team, thanks largely to the contribution of the substitutes, saw Ruan Ackermann score a 70th minute try and then Elton Jantjies sealed the deal with a 77th minute penalty.

A week later (last Saturday), against the Force, the Lions were also far from their best and led 17-15 with only 15 minutes to play. But again, the Lions’ impact players helped their team into a position to win two late scrum penalties and then Jantjies danced his way to the tryline for a match-winning and bonuspoint try.

Ackermann said this week that he has been hugely impressed with the contribution made by his replacement players.

“Credit to them for keeping cool heads (against the Force), especially with us leading by only two points with two minutes to play,” Ackermann said.

“They forced a penalty, and then another one, and we had the opportunity to go with the scrum … to not only go for the win, but the bonus point as well.

“On the bench we had guys like Lourens Erasmus, Johannes Jonker, Dillon Smit, Jacques Nel ... all guys who were not involved much last year. They didn’t tour with us so it’s good to see the new, young players help close out a game like that.”

Indeed. The Lions have grown their depth this year, with the likes of Kwagga Smith, Sylvian Mahuza, Jonker, Smit and Nel all playing key roles in the last two weeks. None featured prominently last season. Madosh Tambwe, now with the South Africa Under-20 team, has also played a big part in his first season of Super Rugby.

What makes the Lions’ run of eight wins in nine matches even more remarkable is the fact they are playing, and winning, without up to half their first-choice team of last year.