The Lions moved to top spot in group two of the Africa Conference thanks to their 24-9 Super Rugby victory against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday. And, with a string of games to come in South Africa for the Lions - to go with a difficult three-match away trip for the Sharks - the Lions are in pole position to take charge of the group. Jacques van der Westhuyzen looks at the key aspects of the Durban encounter
Lions defence
For once it was the Lions’ strong defence that saw them across the line. Known for their attacking play, Johan Ackermann’s men reined in their adventurous spirit somewhat and got the better of the Sharks thanks to their in-your-face defence and pressure game. The Sharks made a strong start and nearly scored a try in the opening exchanges, but the Lions repelled the threat, escaped from their tryline and the home team never really threatened to score a five-pointer again. The big tackling by the Lions prevented the Sharks from getting any rhythm into their game and the visitors also managed to win 26 turn-overs, to the Sharks’ 15; something that played a major role in Ackermann’s team always being on the front foot.
Lions discipline
Ackermann’s men only conceded six penalties over the course of the 80 minutes - to the Sharks’ 13. It meant the Lions were hardly under pressure, with the home team only having a handful of shots at goal; flyhalf Joe Pietersen converting three penalties for his team’s only points. It was one-way traffic for most of the clash and the Sharks’ ill-discipline is something coach Gary Gold will have to address very quickly.
Set pieces
The Lions might be regarded a dangerous attacking team, who like to throw the ball around, but they’re also very sound in doing the basics well and the platform for their victory on Saturday was laid in the scrums and line-outs. The visitors, with Julian Redelinghuys, Malcolm Marx and Dylan Smith now a formidable front-row trio - dominated the scrum battle, their team winning 11 scrums to the Sharks’ two, while they also won 11 line-outs to their hosts’ eight. The Sharks simply never had the platform they wanted to ask any questions with ball in hand.
Sharks backs
Gold’s team’s game may be based on a solid defensive system, but the Sharks will have to be more inventive with ball in hand, especially at the back, if they’re to be regarded genuine play-off contenders. With a back three of Willie le Roux, Lwazi Mvovo and JP Pietersen in the ranks, they should be asking plenty of questions, but the Sharks look clueless about how to employ them and get them into the game. Also, as steady an operator as Joe Pietersen is, he’s no playmaker at flyhalf and perhaps it is time for Gold to throw young Garth April into the big time and start him.
If only
While the Lions dominated the match and never looked like losing after scoring two first half tries, Ackermann and Co will be ruing the fact the visitors failed to grab a try bonus point from the match. And, they could easily have done that late in the game. But, a missed touch-finder by Elton Jantjies in the 80th minute, cost the Lions the chance of setting up a five-metre line-out and going for a rolling maul. The Lions will be hoping the missed opportunity doesn’t come back to bite them. - The Star