Lions accept the tag of underdogs
SHARKS WILL BE IN CONDITIONS THEY KNOW WELL
Visitors building momentum, but will it be enough?
With good reason, the Golden Lions will consider themselves rank outsiders in their must-win Currie Cup clash against the pace-setting Sharks in Durban tonight.
The Lions, though have been picking up the pace in recent weeks, while advocating the campaign as a building exercise for Super Rugby, still want to do well in the competition.
The contrast in the team’s fortunes has been quite visible, with the Sharks picking up nine wins from 10 starts, while the Lions have won just four from nine.
In the previous game between the two sides, the Sharks won 47-31 at Ellis Park. The Lions had built up a comfortable 24-0 lead shortly before the break, only to be derailed by a yellow card to hooker Robbie Coetzee shortly after the half-time break.
Coach Swys de Bruin said the Sharks have a very settled team and admitted they haven’t been unduly disrupted by national callups.
“They don’t have a vast number of Springboks or Japan-based players out and will be playing at home in conditions they know well,” said De Bruin.
“I would have thought that the likes of players like prop Thomas du Toit and flyhalf Curwin Bosch would have also been drafted into the Springbok set-up after some sterling performances.”
The Sharks have also been able to retain wing S’bu Nkosi and No 8 Dan du Preez in their line-up after they were initially called up to the Bok side but then released for this weekend.
With the Sharks having already secured a home semifinal, this game is more important for the visiting Lions. But in Durban it will be extremely tough to knock over the Sharks as the Blue Bulls experienced last weekend.
The Lions though have built up some good momentum with victories over the Pumas, Griquas and Blue Bulls in their last three matches before their bye last weekend.
Kick-off: 7.15pm.