Kriel accepts the challenge

Stand-in Lions captain Jaco Kriel (above) didn’t beat around the bush this week when he spoke about the great challenge ahead for his team in their final regular Super Rugby clash against the Sharks in Durban today.

While the Lions could host the Highlanders in the quarterfinals next week, it’s also possible they might face the Sharks again.

And with some big meat in the Sharks pack, like props Thomas du Toit and Coenie Oosthuizen and the Du Preez brothers JeanLuc and Daniel in the loose trio, the Lions know it will be tough.

“They have got a very physical pack,” said Kriel. “They have some big boys in there and when that pack gets on the front foot it’s really hard to stop them.”

Kriel said that’s what the Sharks got right in the earlier game at Ellis Park when they got on the front foot in a game where the Lions were hard pushed to win 34-29.

“And then they also have some quick backs who are also very physical. If those backs get ball on the front foot it’s really tough to contain them,” he said.

Kriel said the players are also delighted to know Swys de Bruin will take them forward as head coach when Johan Ackermann departs after the competition.

“We know what we have in him, we know we can go to him with anything and as coach Ackers had, he has an open-door policy and he really loves it when players come to him with new ideas,” said Kriel.

Kriel said as a group they are really going to miss coach “Ackies so much”.

“But looking at the future we really believe coach Swys is the man for the job.”