Lions must be patient before pouncing
The Golden Lions will go into 'play-off mode' when they host the Free State Cheetahs in their final Currie Cup league match in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Coach Johan Ackermann, speaking to rugby365 in the build-up to the Ellis Park outing, said it is a "must-win" game for his team – as they are determined get home advantage in the semifinals.
"Yes, we do have the advantage that we are already in the play-offs, but it will just be so much better to be at home and play in front of our own people, who are hungry to see [us in] a semifinal again."
The Lions only need a victory over the Free State side to ensure a crucial home semifinal, while a defeat could possibly see them travel elsewhere for the play-offs.
Ackermann said in the games where they played really well this season it was their patience with ball in hand and solid set-pieces that got them through.
"In these play-off type games that [patience] will always be key," he told rugby365, adding: "Those 50-50 passes are out, because you just hand possession to the opposition and will find yourself at the wrong end of the field and playing under pressure.
"We are basically in a quarterfinal match, so hopefully this can be a good trial run for us ahead of the semifinal."
The other key issue is the return of three of the Cheetahs' Springboks – flank Teboho Mohoje, lock Lodewyk de Jager and prop Trevor Nyakane.
"I spoke about the importance of first-phase possession and to top it all they get three Springboks back [in the pack]," the Lions mentor said.
"They are quality players who I rate very highly.
"It will be an enormous challenge and the key is that we have to match their pack.
"They also have some real pace in the backs, so our backs will have to be on song as well.
"Our first-time tackling will have to be spot on."
Although the outcome could increase the Lions' chances of winning in the play-offs, Ackermann said the team did nothing different in the build-up to the clash.
"We haven't changed much. We stuck to the weekly routine, we didn't cut or add days," Ackermann said.
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
