The Lions can become the dominant force in South African rugby, but the union will have to do everything in their power to keep the Currie Cup-winning group in Johannesburg, says coach Johan Ackermann.
Also, the likes of union president Kevin de Klerk and CEO Rudolf Straeuli, will have to keep Ackermann at the Lions – and hope he doesn’t become the next Springbok coach.
The once struggling team dominated the recent Currie Cup, winning the title after a hard-fought battle with Western Province on Saturday and in so doing became the first team since the Sharks in 1996 to go through the campaign unbeaten. The Lions won all 12 matches, topped the list for points scored, tries scored and matches won. They triumphed 32-24 in Saturday’s final at Ellis Park, going one step further than a year ago when they lost narrowly 19-16 in the final at Newlands.
“Every team that’s dominated a period in South African rugby has had continuity.
“They’ve just about had the same 22 players for three, four years ... just look at the successful Bulls teams of the past, like the ones that won Super Rugby titles,” said Ackermann after Saturday’s final.
“We’re going to need that as well ... if we manage that then we can be right up there. But, every team will again be strengthened next year, Springbok players will come back into the mix, we’ll get a few players back (from Japan and Europe) and I know our players will be targets for other unions. We’re going to have to fight to keep these guys here.”
Asked if he was available to coach the Boks – if Saru decided to head in a new direction following the team’s exit from the World Cup at the semi-final stage on Saturday – Ackermann said: “No comment. What will happen will happen.”
Ackermann has worked wonders with the Lions over the last two years. Not only has he backed a ball-in-hand approach which has brought good results, he’s also picked young players. He admitted the Lions were in a good place going into 2016 and a new-look Super Rugby competition.
“The continuity will be there, but we’re still going to have to work hard. The results aren’t just going to come and the players will again have to earn the right to wear the jersey. Bbut everything is there for it to be a successful third year for this group,” he said.
Ackermann added there were three key elements that contributed to the team’s successful Currie Cup run this season. “The young guys really stepped up. Quite a few of the players left for Japan and Europe and at times Warren (Whiteley) was with the Boks and Jaco (Kriel) was injured. Secondly, we were able to grow our leader-group. With Warren at the Boks we were encouraged to look at other leaders and in-stepped Jaco, Howard (Mnisi), Ross (Cronje) and others. And, we’ll be better off for it next year, too, because Warren and Jaco are being looked at to join the Sevens team (for the Olympic challenge).
“Thirdly, our first five games this season were crucial ... we learned to win ugly when we weren’t playing so well. We clicked in the first half in that game against the Bulls, when both sides went into it on 25 log points. We knew if we won that game we’d be in a position to challenge for top spot and ensure we get a home semi-final and final. We did that.” - The Star