Lions have no fear of Shark tank
In spite of not having won in Durban since 2007, coach Ackermann believes his players are ready to reverse that trend
IF THE Lions are to make it three wins in a row they’re going to have to do something they’ve not managed in Durban in eight years: win a match against the Sharks.
The last time the Lions were victorious in a senior game – be it Currie Cup or Super Rugby – was back in 2007 when Eugene Eloff ’s men triumphed 19-12 in the Currie Cup semi-finals.
The only remaining Sharks player from that day who’ll be up against the Lions tomorrow is Odwa Ndungane. Not one Lions player still runs out for the Joburg team, but their coach, Johan Ackermann, was involved in that game – as the No5 lock for the Sharks.
He says the fact the Lions have battled so much in Durban in recent times proves just how difficult it is to beat the Sharks at home. And, despite Gary Gold’s men losing to the Pumas in Nelspruit in week one and just edging the Kings last week, they’ll again be tough to beat tomorrow.
“They beat us in Pietermar- itzburg in our warm-up game and they’re coming off a win against the Kings,” said Ackermann yesterday. “And, let’s not forget we haven’t beaten them in Durban since 2007 ... so we’ll be making a big mistake if we think we’re just going to pitch up and win the game.”
But, things have changed drastically at both unions in eight years and Ackermann says his players won’t fear going down to Durban. “We know how difficult it is to win there, but the current group of players don’t have any baggage about coming unstuck there. We’re a new and different team since those days. Heck, we’re even changed from Super Rugby, so there’s no fear in my players. It’ll require a big effort but we’re full of confidence.”
And so they should be. The Lions have picked up all 10 points available to them following wins against the Kings and Pumas and, along with the Bulls and WP, look to be the form team of the competition. Ackermann, though delighted with the points haul, feels his players let themselves down somewhat last weekend against neighbours, the Pumas.
“Obviously, 10 points in the bag is great; we’d have taken that any day before the season started, but last week wasn’t great. Our discipline was poor, we had two yellow cards, gave away 15 penalties, and turned over quite a bit of ball. We also didn’t attack as well as we’d have liked. Hopefully, we can now improve in these areas.”
As expected, Stokkies Hanekom, pictured, replaces the injured Harold Vorster at outside centre, while Jaco van der Walt comes in at fullback in place of Ruan Combrinck who shifts to the wing.
There are also changes up front. In a new-look front row Ruan Dreyer packs down at loosehead prop, while Robbie Coetzee comes in for Malcolm Marx, and in the second row MB Lusaseni rotates with Martin Muller and Kwagga Smith returns for Fabian Booysen. Among the replacements on the bench, Ricky Schroeder and Alwyn Hollenbach could make their first appearances in the competition this season.