No margin for error in Lions' mad dash

The changes to the Currie Cup format has resulted in one of the most exciting and eagerly contested competitions in years.

In the rich history of the oldest domestic competition in the world there are many stories of great battles and 2012 will do more than just add another chapter to the ongoing drama.

Steeped in history and tradition, dating back to 1889 and still regarded as the cornerstone of South Africa's rugby heritage, it is adding relief for many ardent fans struggling to cope with the transitional phase of the national team.

And the closeness of the Currie Cup competition – reduced to six teams and condensed into a 10-week period – means there is a timely distraction from the negativity surrounding the Springboks.

And one of the teams at the forefront of providing that alleviation is the defending champion Golden Lions – a side stripped of its Super Rugby status, but undaunted by the challenges facing it, continuing to play an entertaining brand of rugby.

Sitting pretty in joint first place on the standings at the halfway stage – albeit only being edged by Western Province on points difference – the Lions have a 'perfect' win-lose-win-lose-win record after the first five weeks.

Coach Johan Ackermann, speaking to this website ahead of their trip to Bloemfontein and an encounter with the cunning Cheetahs, admitted that consistency is more desirable.

However, he felt those results – a win over the Cheetahs, followed by a loss to the Sharks, a win over WP, a loss to Griquas and a win over the Bulls – mirror the competition, rather than distract from his team's performance.

"That is an indication of how tight this Currie Cup [competition] is … how important it is to be focussed every week," Ackermann said.

"Every team has suffered at least two defeats," he said of tournament table that sees WP, the Lions and Sharks with two defeats each jointly at the top, separated by points difference, while the Cheetahs, Griquas and Bulls have lost three times in the first five rounds.

There is also just seven points separating first place and last place on the standings.

"In my view there are no favourites at this stage," Ackermann told this website, adding: "The first team that get that consistency, to be accurate week-in-and-week-out, will be the team to come out on top."

With just five rounds remaining, there is no margin for error and all the teams are aware of that.

"If you drop any points now, then your chance of a home semifinal or Final will be very remote and you will also still have a fight just to get into the play-offs," Ackermann said.

"There is indeed no margin for error, but all the teams are in the same position … so the pressure is the same for all six teams."

By Jan de Koning