Tricky decision awaits the Sharks

DO THEY GO FOR THE WIN OR DON’T THEY? Star centre Janse van Rensburg makes his comeback.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann is relieved he doesn’t have to trade places with Sharks counterpart Robert du Preez in the case of a surprise Hurricanes Super Rugby win over the Crusaders tomorrow.

In such an event, the Lions would be able to go top unless the Sharks surprise them in Durban – but Du Preez would rather prefer a loss which would then mean a trip to Johannesburg for the playoffs instead of to Christchurch.

“It’s going to be a difficult team talk for him. There’s either nothing to gain or if the Hurricanes win, what do you say,” said Ackermann.

“Because if they beat us they must go back to Christchurch, but fortunately that’s out of our hands.”

Ackermann yesterday retained the same starting line-up who smashed the Sunwolves two weeks ago before their bye, but on the bench he has recalled Springbok centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, who recovered from a knee injury.

“It was easy in the sense that the guys got rewarded for playing well against the Sunwolves,” he said.

“Jacques Nel also played well in the time that Rohan was injured so there were a few tough decisions,” he said.

“But Rohan was in great form before his injury and he has got that X-factor and we are in preparation mode for the play-offs.

“And he just had the 20 minutes in the SuperSport Challenge and we would like to see how he goes on the weekend.”

Ackermann said after they were pushed to edge by the Sharks 34-29 in the last game they expected a massive challenge.

“If you look at the team they put out it’s a quality team. Everybody’s back from injury, the Du Preez brothers are back, Lukhanyo Am is back, they are going to be at full strength,” he said.

“They are also hurting because the loss to the Bulls didn’t help and they want to rectify that, they also want to take confidence into the play-offs.”