Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen hailed his side’s mental strength against the Stormers at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Lions’ 24-10 victory, coupled with the Sharks’ 41-12 loss to the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus, saw them win the SA Shield for the first time.
It’s quite the comeback for a team hammered 52-17 at home by the Bulls at the end of January.
REPORT: Lions maul Stormers in Joburg
“I think we’ve grown a lot over the last month,” Van Rooyen said. “Mentally, in the moment, the experienced leaders are driving hard and pushing what’s needed for the next set, what’s needed for the next five sets. I’m incredibly proud of our performance.
“The last 20 minutes was an immense defensive effort,” he added. “Going down to 13 players was tough. We had to understand what was needed – work rate and body height. I think our body height was a lot better in the last two weeks, and that’s why we managed to stop [opposition] momentum a bit better.”
Van Rooyen acknowledged it was not the perfect performance.
“Our set-piece didn’t really operate today like we feel it can and wanted it to,” he said.
ALSO: Lions crowned SA Shield kings
Meanwhile, captain Francke Horn praised his players’ composure under pressure.
“I’m very happy about the game we played,” he said. “The first half was a bit back and forth and then we had two chances that we used very well.
“We know that the Stormers will never lie down. So to then get two yellow cards [the second upgraded to red] … The calmness came from the experienced players.”
The Lions, who beat the Sharks at Ellis Park last week, remain seventh on the log and on track for a first appearance in the URC playoffs.
“It’s been a fantastic last two weeks,” Horn said. “Two really good wins, local derbies that in previous seasons could have gone the other way.”
KEO: Clarity beats clutter as lethal Lions outthink and outplay Stormers
Van Rooyen agreed.
“The biggest lesson we’ve learned the last two weeks is you have to find a way in the game,” he said. “It will never be perfect, but we managed to swing it the other way.
“We spoke during pre-season about needing to be better and more consistent against South African teams as that’s where we felt we lost points in the past. So I’m very proud.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Cash: Lions have learned to find a way appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
