‘Fit, tough, quick’ Lions brace for Sharks backlash

Coach Ivan van Rooyen is delighted with the Lions’ “best game of the season” but expects the Sharks to respond with a singular focus when the teams rematch in Durban this week.

The Lions scored six tries at a wet Ellis Park on Saturday, beating the Sharks 38-14 to bank their sixth win of the season and improve to 28 log points.

“If you look at the weather and the week we had in terms of injuries, I think it was our best game of the season,” Van Rooyen said in a post-match press conference. “We aren’t going to be complacent going into next week.

”I’m really proud of the work rate and performance, it’s probably the best we have played in terms of game management. We put a huge emphasis on work rate this week and today we showed that we are fit, tough and quick. I’m really proud of our effort today.

“Our defence has improved since December. The decision making has improved, big time.”

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Captain Francke Horn has been big for the Pride in the 2024-25 campaign, adding to his heroics with a vital first-half try.

“The whole week we have spoken about a good start,” said Horn. “Last weekend we were down 17-0 and to see the intensity and physicality of the brought in the first 10 minutes today was really rewarding. The tries we scored rewarded our hard work and effort. There was a feeling of serious hunger and focus.

“Last week we felt as a forward unit that we let the back line down. Today we made up for that. Not just with scrums and line outs but with our work rate as well.”

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The Lions were missing injured stalwarts Quan Horn and Henco van Wyk, while lock Ruan Delport was forced off early. Van Rooyen lauded the effort of the squad, and was full of praise for the players that plugged the holes.

“Tapiwa Mafura had a massive game, Siba Qoma as well. We can feel the squad is growing and players are stepping up. Quan Horn, Henco van Wyk and Ruan Delport should all be back before our tour to the UK.”

The Lions now make their way to Durban for a rematch against the Sharks in a postponed round 1 fixture at Kings Park on Saturday.

“The Sharks are a proud team,” said Van Rooyen. “We know they are going to give everything they have. We know they are going to be 15 to 20 percent better mentally. It’s a big week of preparation ahead“

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images