Lions keen to keep it going

Rudolph Jacobs

After a dream start to their Currie Cup campaign the Golden Lions have drawn a line under their Super Rugby campaign, believes winger Sylvian Mahuza (above).

With high-scoring wins against Griquas and the Blue Bulls the Lions face the Cheetahs next on Saturday at Ellis Park eager to continue their progress.

“It’s a good start to the season, considering all the things that have happened this year. It’s a nice beginning after Super Rugby,” said Mahuza (above).

“There’s a lot of new faces who are taking their opportunity. It’s good for them and for us.”

But even being down 35-24 to the Bulls last weekend the team didn’t panic, he said.

“The whole backline is experienced and there’s leaders in their positions to calm the team down. With Marvin (Orie, captain) being back from the Springboks it makes everything comfortable,” he said.

After 14 games for the Leopards in 2013/14 and seven for the Kings in 2015, the 25-year-old speedster is in his third year with the Lions team having scored 11 tries in 31 Super Rugby games and six in 14 Currie Cup games.

“After a while I’ve been getting a bit of game time and the team are doing well,” he said.

“Nothing has really changed with Cash (van Rooyen, coach), maybe different in terms of management, but we enjoy him having being in the structures for seven years.”

Mahuza however believed the Cheetahs will be very eager. They’re a young team and he believes their abundance in youth is what makes them dangerous.