Pride reignited as Lions bounce back after Bulls humbling
REACTION: The Lions’ emphatic 34-22 victory over the Sharks at Ellis Park has done more than restore pride in Johannesburg; it has thrust them back into the Top Eight and reignited their SA Shield ambitions.
Captain Francke Horn hailed the performance as the response his side needed after their bruising defeat to the Bulls three weeks ago, with the five-log-point haul proving pivotal in both domestic and overall standings.
Despite playing 20 minutes with 14 men following two yellow cards, the Lions controlled proceedings and could arguably have won by a wider margin. The Sharks required a consolation try after the full-time hooter to narrow the gap, underlining the hosts’ dominance.
“We showed some dominance. We were really hurting after the Bulls game here at home,” Horn said post-match. “We had two weeks to fix that, and I think we did a really good job.
“If you told me before the game that we would get five points, I would have taken it.”
The bonus-point win moves the Lions to within a single point of the Sharks in the SA Shield race. Victory over the Stormers this weekend, coupled with a Bulls win over the Sharks at Loftus, would hand the Joburg side a first-ever Shield title.
However, Horn insists their focus remains fixed on the immediate challenge.
“It’s the Stormers next week, and we know they will be hurting. We will have to step up our game. This was massive for us, and next week will be the same.
“We want to be a team that has energy, that has hunger, and that plays a good brand of rugby. I think at stages today we really showed that.
“There are things to change and things to fix, but that’s every game.”
Head coach Ivan van Rooyen echoed the sentiment, praising his side’s character and physical improvement after being outmuscled by the Bulls in their previous outing.
“Not the perfect performance, but to walk away with five points, really proud, really happy,” he said.
The Lions were notably sharper at the set-piece, correcting the lineout issues that plagued them earlier in the season and laying a platform for their backs to capitalise.
With momentum building, the Pride of Joburg find themselves firmly in contention, not just for a playoff berth, but for silverware.
“It’s obviously good for us to have this opportunity,” Van Rooyen said. “But 110% focus will be on our process.”
