Lions send out a Bok SOS
Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann is hoping to get one of his Bok props back this week to ease his front row worries.
Young Ruan Dreyer was promoted to the starting line-up at the last minute at Newlands on Saturday when tighthead Jacobie Adriaanse became the latest player to be struck by injury, leaving Ackermann without many options up front.
As a result Ackermann will be getting in touch with Bok coach Heyneke Meyer this week to request that either Pat Cilliers or CJ van der Linde be released to get some game-time in the Currie Cup.
"I'm not sure if any of those two are going to get game time or even make the match-day squad," said Ackermann.
"There is only one Test now (against the All Blacks) and if either of them are not going to be used, it would better if they had some game time," he added.
The Lions coach said that he was particularly pleased with the defensive commitment his side showed in their 22-9 victory over Western Province on Saturday, and pointed to the great spirit in the squad as a crucial factor.
"We've had to accept that we would be without key players because of Bok call-ups in the past few days, but the camaraderie in the squad is so great that players are playing for each other.
"We achieved our win on the back of a good defensive effort and the players who stood in for the Bok call-ups brought a new dimension to the side," he said.
Ackermann said that the away win was vital for the defending champions as they seek to secure home advantage in the play-off stages of the Currie Cup.
"This win certainly is a big step towards securing a home semi, and we would have been in big trouble if we didn't win," said Ackermann.
