Lions boss Johan Ackermann is hopeful the month-long break for Test rugby won’t affect his team’s rhythm and momentum when they return to Super Rugby action against the Sharks at Ellis Park tomorrow.
No less than eight Lions were involved with the Springboks, while a further three featured for the SA ‘A’ team last month, but it is a 10th win the Lions are chasing as they go in search of a first Super Rugby title.
Teams have struggled with momentum and rhythm in the past when returning from a bye week; but now they’re coming off a four-week break, at the most important juncture of the season - just three rounds remaining before the play-offs.
“Hopefully, the continuity will be there. I can’t imagine the players will lose everything because of the time away from each other, not after all the games they’ve played together over the years,” said Ackermann Thursday.
“Match-fitness should be fine, but sure, there’s the challenge of getting the unity again and having fluency and rhythm in our game. But, that’s the challenge for all the teams now.
“And, let’s be honest these next three rounds are crucial.”
Ackermann has picked all his available Boks, with only captain Warren Whiteley missing out through injury. His place is taken by Ruan Ackermann, pictured.
“Any team will miss a guy like Warren. His leadership is phenomenla, his work-rate is unbelievable,” said Ackermann. “But Ruan played at No 8 against Griquas and the Leopards (in the Currie Cup recently) and did very well. His line-out work is good and he brings different strengths to the team. He played a lot of his junior rugby at eighthman as well ... We feel he deserves an opportunity.”
Jaco Kriel will captain the side in Whiteley’s absence and after spending much of the last month carrying tackle bags around for the Boks and made a 20-minute debut for them in PE last Saturday, is keen to get stuck in again.
“It’s nice to be in a starting line-up again,” said Kriel. “I’m excited for what lies ahead - and there’s certainly no place like home,” he added, referring to Ellis Park.
Sharks boss Gary Gold, meanwhile, has picked Odwa Ndungane at fullback and Garth April at flyhalf for the match, with Philip van der Walt returning to No 8.
TEAMS
Lions STARTING XV: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Faf de Klerk, Ruan Ackermann, Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel (capt), Franco Mostert, Andries Ferreira, Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith; REPLACEMENTS: Armand van der Merwe, Corne Fourie, Jacques van Rooyen, Lourens Erasmus, Cyle Brink, Ross Cronje, Howard Mnisi, Sylvian Mahuza
Sharks STARTING XV: Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Paul Jordaan, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo, Garth April, Michael Claassens, Phillip van der Walt, Jean-Luc du Preez, Keegan Daniel, Stephan Lewies, Etienne Oosthuizen, Lourens Adriaanse, Franco Marais, Tendai Mtawarira (capt); REPLACEMENTS: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Thomas du Toit, Coenie Oosthuizen, Ruan Botha, Lubabalo Mtembu, Stefan Ungerer, Rhyno Smith, Sibusiso Sithole – The Star