Dealing with pressure key
EXPECTATION: STRUCTURED SHARKS AWAIT FREE-RUNNING LIONS
Hurricanes up next for the winner of Ellis Park quarterfinal.
How the Lions deal with the massive weight of expectation will be key today in their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Sharks at Ellis Park.
It could either tense them up or spur them on to even greater heights and pave the way and remain on course for a potential semifinal and a historic first final at home.
With the two packs expected to be evenly matched, the brilliance of the Lions’ Springbok halfback pairing Elton Jantjies and Ross Cronje will play a decisive role with their ability to make the right decisions in big matches.
The Lions have scored 34-29 and 2710 wins over the Sharks this season, but it seemed as if the Sharks took their foot off the pedal last week in the second half in order to avoid a trip to Christchurch.
“The two games against the Sharks were tough, it was close and they are a physical side,” said Lions coach Johan Ackermann.
Whereas the Lions are expected to play at their customary fast pace, the Sharks will opt for a more structured approach with their huge pack and rely on flyhalf Curwin Bosch’s boot trying to keep the hosts pinned back in their own half.
“They are going to have new plans and new tactics, but we also have new plans that we want to have a look at,” Ackermann said.
“It’s a whole new ball game, a different day and a different venue. We have to come out from minute one, be accurate and play with a good intensity.”
Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen and lock Etienne Oosthuizen have a noted poor disciplinary record it could just work in the home team’s favour.
Referee Marius van der Westhuizen holds the whistle again like last week and Ackermann said both teams would have a talk with him.
“The last thing that either team want is a controversial decision that plays a big role in winning or losing,” he said.
Although today’s match could be potentially Ackermann’s last game in charge, the coach doesn’t want him to be the one that it is all about.
“It is in the back of my mind like on Thursday when I walked on to the field, thinking hopefully there will be a few more days.”
The winner of today’s match will face the Hurricanes in the semifinals.
Also see Pages 42, 43 and 44 Andries Coetzee Ruan Combrinck Lionel Mapoe Harold Vorster Courtnall Skosan Elton Jantjies Ross Cronje Ruan Ackermann Kwagga Smith Jaco Kriel (capt) Franco Mostert Andries Ferreira Ruan Dreyer Malcolm Marx Jacques van Rooyen Bench: Akker vd Merwe, Corne Fourie, Johannes Jonker, Lourens Erasmus, Cyle Brink, Faf de Klerk, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Sylvian Mahuza. Lwazi Mvovo Kobus van Wyk Lukhanyo Am Andre Esterhuizen S’busiso Nkosi Curwin Bosch Cobus Reinach Daniel du Preez Jean-Luc du Preez Philip van der Walt (capt) Stephan Lewies Etienne Oosthuizen Coenie Oosthuizen Chiliboy Ralepelle Thomas du Toit Bench: Franco Marais/ Stephan Coetzee, Juan Schoeman, Lourens Adriaanse, Jean Droste, Tera Mtembu, Michael Claassens, Garth April, Jeremy Ward.