Lions emerge from shadow

The time is now right for the Lions to move out of the shadow of their hugely successful former mentor Johan Ackermann, incumbent coach Swys de Bruin believes, after their pulsating 26-19 Super Rugby win over the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

De Bruin credited new forwards coach Philip Lemmer for the Lions’ superb scrumming performance. They had the visitors retreating, with Jacques van Rooyen giving big tighthead Thomas du Toit a hammering, and Ruan Dreyer impressing at tighthead.

“I think it is now time to focus on the future,” De Bruin said.

“Philip is a great young coach with a good future.

“Ackers laid a great foundation. We are still big mates and we wish each other well, but now we have to give Philip the full chance to grow and become great like him.”

While the Sharks got off to a blinder with their opening try by impressive flyhalf Robert du Preez, they were unable to get their noses in front again.

The Lions responded with centre Lionel Mapoe’s (below) first of two tries before rookie left wing Aphiwe Dyantyi showed he had arrived on the top-flight scene.

The Sharks scored twice more in the second half through wings Sbu Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi, while the Lions responded with Mapoe’s second and the clincher by flank Kwagga Smith.

De Bruin admitted they had to dig deep in the dying minutes, but two great steals from Lions replacement flankers Hacjivah Dayimani and Marnus Schoeman saved the day for the home team.

“We’re very blessed, very pleased and very relieved,” De Bruin said.

“It’s always tough against the Sharks. Warren (Whiteley) is from the Bluff there, and I lived there for 12 years. Rudolf Straeuli (Lions CEO) still owns half of Durban, so it is very sweet to beat the Sharks, I must admit.”