Lions must break through mental barrier
The men from Johannesburg – who have knocked over the Stormers and Sharks in their two most recent outings – face an injury-hit Southern Kings outfit in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The Africa Conference Two leaders will be fancied to come away from the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium with a bonus-point win against a side already minus frontline front row forwards Edgar Marutlulle and Sithembiso Sithole – while the Kings' first-choice locks, captain Steven Sykes and John-Charles, are also on the doubtful list.
Add in the fact that the Kings' only win in six starts has been against the hapless Sunwolves of Japan.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann was at pains to impress upon his team that they could not afford any complacency.
"It is going to be, probably, one of our biggest mental challenges [of the season]," Ackermann said, when asked facing the Kings.
"You can't go down there [Port Elizabeth] and just expect to pitch up."
The coach said the Kings are a quality side, if you look at them as individuals.
"They have done a lot of good things," Ackermann said, adding: "They are strong in the scrums, they can maul and they [do] have attacking players.
"It is going to be a massive game.
"They also had a week to refresh," he said on the Kings' bye week.
"We will have to pick a healthy 23 and a very fresh 23 to go down for a big fight."
Captain Warren Whiteley also spoke of the need to stay consistent in their performances and the big mental challenge they will face.
"What is important, is that we need to stay on our toes," Whiteley said.
"If you think you are on top, a team comes by and show you a thing or two."
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