Lions must learn to tackle
Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann admitted he was disappointed with the way in which his team defended in their 25-31 Currie Cup loss to the Sharks.
Fred Zeilinga scored 21 points for the Sharks against the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Friday.
The flyhalf scored a try, two conversions, two penalties and two drop-goals to lead the Durban side to a win that puts them at the top of the Currie Cup standings after eight rounds.
Ackermann was adamant that his team would have to improve their defence if they are to challenge for a semifinal place.
"We've worked hard on our defence, but at the moment it still isn't going our way," Ackermann said.
"We gave away a few soft points and when we were ahead, it was nerve-wrecking because we couldn't hold onto our lead.
"But credit to the Sharks. Individual brilliance from the Sharks at stages broke the game."
The defeat leaves Ackermann's team third in the standings, seven points behind the Sharks and Western Province.
Western Province trail the Sharks by virtue of an inferior points difference, despite a hard-fought 29-27 win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein earlier on Friday.
SAPA
