JOHANNESBURG - Lions fans will know their team can hardly play any worse than they did against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
But they’ll be very pleased they escaped with four log points after edging the Currie Cup champions 28-25 in the teams’ opening fixture of the 2017 Super Rugby competition.
Even coach Johan Ackermann conceded afterwards his team will have to make a big improvement in the coming weeks if they’re to have a say in the competition.
It was a scrappy affair, with few highlights. “We didn’t play good rugby,” conceded Ackermann.
“We were rusty, we lacked continuity and there was no flow in our game. But we are very thankful we got the win. It was a close game and at least we came out on top.”
The Cheetahs dominated large chunks of the encounter and with 35 minutes remaining led 16-6 after Raymond Rhule had scored a converted try and Fred Zeilinga had knocked over his third penalty. The Lions though hit back with two tries by centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, as well as a
seven-point penalty try after their driving maul was brought down illegally.
“We showed character to stay in it and come back in the end ... even when the Cheetahs had opened up a good lead,” said Ackermann.
“But our attacking play wasn’t good. We had no fluidity which I suppose will take some time to come back, but I’ll take the win.
“If you’re slow out of the blocks, haven’t fired on all cylinders, and still win then that’s a positive.
“It was an away game, so getting the victory was a bonus, but we’re going to have to hit our standards as quickly as we can.”
The only bad news to come out of the match is that centre Howard Mnisi will miss the entire Super Rugby season after damaging knee ligaments.
A scan revealed on Sunday that he had damaged the ACL, LCL and PCL in the right knee and will undergo surgery soon. He will be out of action for at least nine months.
Either Harold Vorster, who replaced him on Saturday, or Lionel Mapoe, who started on the right wing, will replace Mnisi in the starting team this week, while Jacques Nel is also a candidate for the midfield.
Cheetahs boss Franco Smith will no doubt feel much like Ackermann does today ... frustrated with the performance dished up by his players.
The Cheetahs though were full of promise for long periods of the match, their defence especially much-improved from last year.
They also showed plenty of intent with ball in hand.
Smith’s men host the wounded Bulls this weekend in what will be a massive match for both teams, while Ackermann and Co are preparing for an encounter with the Waratahs, who just edged the Force in Sydney.