Baby steps for Lions rookie

The name Harold Vorster doesn't come up in too many conversations when future Springbok midfielders are debated.

However, the 21-year-old Lions centre – like any red-blooded South African – does have dreams of one day playing in the Green and Gold.

Vorster, who he made his run-on Super Rugby debut for the Lions against the Stormers at Ellis Park last month, said he is willing to "take baby steps" on the road to realising that dream.

Speaking to rugby365 from Auckland, where the Lions are preparing for their Round Four encounter with the Blues in Albany on Saturday, the young midfielder said he is grateful for the opportunities afforded to him by the Johannesburg-based franchise.

Unlike most young players from Limpopo, the former Frans du Toit scholar did not follow the well-trodden route to the Bulls in Pretoria.

"At the 2010 Craven Week, where I played for Limpopo, coach Hans Coetzee approached me and in 2011 I signed," he said of his decision to move to the Lions.

A member of the 2013 SA Under-20 training squad, without getting any game time, said he is very happy at the Lions.

"I appreciate the opportunity to play Super Rugby and I am very excited," adding that the key to making the step up from junior level to Super Rugby  is your mindset.

"Yes, the pace is much higher in Super Rugby than at junior level, but it is what you make of it," Vorster said.

"Every player's goal is to play in the Green and Gold [for the Springboks], but I will take small steps and for now my focus is on Super Rugby."

Up against twice-capped All Black Francis Saili of the Blues on Saturday, Vorster knows he can make a statement of his own against a team expected to be "very direct".

"We will have a big job on defence," the Lions midfielder said, adding: "However, we are well prepared and looking forward to the challenge."

Lions captain Warren Whiteley echoed similar sentiments, saying the team has put the defeats in the first three weeks behind them and are now focusing on the Blues.

"The guys remain positive and have worked hard to correct the mistakes we made," Whiteley told rugby365 from Auckland.

"We have improved in terms of ball retention, but there are areas we are still looking to improve," the skipper said, adding that one of the key moments last week was the try the Stormers scored from a maul.

"That [defending mauls] is an important aspect of the game," he said, adding: "We are letting ourselves down with small, soft moments.

"We know it won't be easy, as the Blues have plenty of experience. Then there is Kevin Mealamu, who will play in his 163rd Super Rugby match and that will serve as a big motivation for them. We are well aware it will be a huge challenge, but we are looking forward to it."

By Jan de Koning

@King365ed

@rugby365com