Swys’ happy Lions are starting to roar
The Golden Lions are only now starting to gel as a team, believes satisfied coach Swys de Bruin after their bonus point 34-17 Currie Cup win over Griquas in Kimberley on Friday night.
It wasn’t all plain sailing for the visitors though. Holding a commanding 24-0 lead, the Lions conceded 17 points after flank Kwagga Smith was yellow-carded for a professional foul.
Earlier centre Harold Vorster was also shown yellow by referee Egon Seconds, but the Lions dug deep to score their fourth try late in the game by centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg.
“The guys showed a lot of character in the time of the yellow cards not to go and lie down and to come back right at the end to score a very nice try,” said a satisfied De Bruin.
“I am really delighted with the effort the boys came up with, especially in that first half.”
De Bruin, who will now prepare his team to take on the refreshed Blue Bulls this weekend at Ellis Park, said he is relieved to be back in the hunt again after climbing from bottom to fourth in the table.
“I saw before the Cheetahs game against Western Province we had briefly moved up to third position, so where we were last the previous week we are suddenly back in the mix,” he said.
“I would have enjoyed it more if we could have secured the bonus point a little bit earlier, but I’m very happy to come away from a tough place like Kimberley with five points,” he said.
The foundation was laid in the first half with tries from flank Cyle Brink, Smith’s maul try and a superb breakaway try from scrumhalf Marco Janse van Vuuren.
“The big question we asked from the guys last week was effort and we got that and for that I’m thankful and it was a blessed win in Kimberley. The side are only starting now to become a team,” added De Bruin.
Western Province ran in nine tries on Saturday to beat the weakened Cheetahs team 57-14 at Newlands after already holding a 36-0 lead at the break.