Lions confident they can fill Kriel void

Abrasive Lions flanker Cyle Brink is set to enjoy a longer stint in the team’s starting line-up after Jaco Kriel was ruled out for the rest of the Super Rugby competition yesterday.

In a massive setback, the Bok flanker was sidelined for another six months after it was announced that he has to go for a follow-up shoulder operation today after last year’s one proved unsuccessful.

Mainly used as No 7, the position he prefers, the 24-year-old Brink was used at No 6 last weekend against the Bulls, but Brink said together with players like Kwagga Smith, Marnus Schoeman and Hacjivah Dayimani they are all working towards something special.

“There’s a lot of competition between us, but we help each other, we play for each other,” said Brink in reference to Kriel who was hoped to be back in the next few weeks after his injury.

“Whenever the other guys need help, we rotate in positions, as long as we are working for the team it’s all that matters,” said Brink, who weighs 98kg and is 1.90m tall.

Thrilled with the team’s good start Brink said it is business as usual at the Lions and not much has changed since Swys de Bruin took over as coach from Johan Ackermann.

“I think a lot of the structures are similar they haven’t changed a great deal, obviously with coach Ackers before and now with coach Swys but the system stayed the same,” he said. “It’s always good to get three wins in a row and one away to the Bulls was special to us ... not easy, but a great win for us.”

Brink said facing the Blues next at Ellis Park on Saturday, they are going to have their work cut out.

“Whenever the ball gets loose it’s a hard day, but they are never an easy side to play against,” Brink said. “We played them two years ago and the bounce of the ball favoured us and it was wet. They like to throw the ball around a bit so it’s all about what happens on the day.”