The Lions have climbed to eighth place on the United Rugby Championship (URC) standings following two consecutive bonus-point home victories. The team now aims to maintain this positive momentum after the upcoming international break....Click to Read More >>➤
After a difficult start to the season that featured three losses on tour and just a single log point, the Lions have successfully turned their campaign around. Their recent home wins against Scarlets and Ulster, both with bonus points, have provided a crucial boost in the standings.
URC enters a November international break, a pause that often frustects teams on a winning streak. However, Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen views this interval as a welcome opportunity for his squad.
He emphasized that the break allows for necessary rest, especially for players who also featured in the Currie Cup. The team will have a week off before reconvening to prepare for their next URC fixture against the Bulls at the end of November.
“If I’m honest, I think this break is at a good time for us,” Van Rooyen stated after the Ulster victory. “To walk away now with where we are on the log, with the improvements we have made, and with the ability to keep on working on what we need to over the next month is great.”
He added, “We will also potentially have one or two guys back from injury that can bolster the squad. So although you would usually want to keep the momentum going from a win like this, it’s a long season. We will make use of this rest and the time off to keep improving.”
Building on Hard Work
The Lions’ 29-18 victory over Scarlets was not entirely convincing, but their subsequent 49-31 triumph over a previously unbeaten Ulster side marked a significant step up. Ulster had arrived in Johannesburg with wins over the Bulls and Sharks.
Van Rooyen attributed the improved performance to the high standards being met in training sessions finally translating to the match field. He pointed to the competitive and intense environment in practice as a key driver for their URC success.
“If you look at our training sessions it is really competitive and intense. It’s quick, it’s physical, and I think we showcased that a little bit against Ulster,” Van Rooyen explained. “So the next month is really important for us to prep well for the rest of the URC.”
A Hectic Schedule Awaits
The coming break will also be used to strategize for the start of the EPCR Challenge Cup in December. The Lions face a demanding festive period schedule that tests their depth and resilience.
Their campaign resumes with a tough URC derby against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in late November. They then immediately begin their Challenge Cup campaign with a home match against Benetton, followed by an away game against Newcastle Falcons in England.
The team then dives straight back into URC action with a Cape Town showdown against the Stormers. They conclude a hectic month by hosting the Sharks at Ellis Park just after Christmas. Managing player workload and continuing their current form will be critical for the Lions’ URC ambitions during this packed period. ...Click to Read More >>➤
