Lions out to bury Cape bogey
NEWLANDS: FOCUS NOT ON SPRINGBOKS, BUT ON TEAM EFFORT SAYS COACH SWYS
Rudolph Jacobs
With huge interest having returned at this level, the Golden Lions are not too fazed about a Currie Cup win drought at Newlands that has lasted all of five years. Western Province haven’t lost to the Lions in this format since the 22-9 defeat of 2012 in Cape Town, but ahead of their semifinal clash this afternoon in the Mother City, Lions captain Jacques van Rooyen was feeling upbeat.
“We are going there trying to play our game and to achieve our goals, get over the gain-line and the rest will look after itself,” said Van Rooyen. “So we are not really looking at it as a difficult venue, we just want to go over there and play.”
It could all start up front and specifically at scrum-time where Van Rooyen opposes Springbok Wilco Louw, but the Lions skipper will have two Boks next to him in imposing hooker Malcolm Marx and tighthead Ruan Dreyer who might have a point to prove.
“We worked hard the last couple of weeks on our scrumming and technique, so we are ready for the challenge on the weekend,” said Van Rooyen. “We also have a culture at the Lions where we say they (the Boks) have to up it to our level of playing.”
Both the Lions and Province could still play for a home final if the Sharks unexpectedly go down to the Blue Bulls in the earlier play-off game. But Lions coach Swys de Bruin said they are not just looking to their five returning Boks and a sixth in X-factor centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg to create the magic for them.
“I’ve seen with teams in the past that when the Boks come back they are not always going to win the game for you,” said De Bruin.
“It takes a team effort whether you are a Len Massyn and 20 years old, it doesn’t matter, but they do make an impact.”
De Bruin admitted that Province flyhalf Robert du Preez is just one of a few dangerous threats for his side.
“Apart from Robert who is a good game-breaker and tactically sound, they have a few attacking threats at the back,” he said.
“But you are treading on dangerous ground when you start targeting individuals.”