Watch VideoLions Coach Ivan van Rooyen wary of ‘wounded’ Stormers after Sharks victory

The Lions’ Ruan Venter, returning from a lengthy match sanction, scored against the Sharks on Saturday in their United Rugy Championship clash. Photo: Backpagepix The thrilledLionscoach Ivan Rooyen praised the character shown by his players inoutplaying the Sharks 34-22at the weekend, but he is not getting carried away ahead of this week’s SA Derby against the Stormers at Ellis Park. “It was hardly the perfect performance (against the Sharks), but we were bitterly disappointed after the last performance against the Bulls, so to walk away with five points… I’m really proud, really happy,” Van Rooyen said.

Key to the win was a much-improved set piece, especially at lineout time. In the Lions’ previous match, a 50-point mauling by the Bulls, their set piece was a disaster. “We were a lot better and a lot more effective in the set piece today,” the coach said.

“We had the ability to put them under a bit of pressure. I felt there were some really good solutions today, so I’m really proud of the players.” The win pushes the Lions up the URC ladder into seventh place, a position above the Bulls. The Joburgers are also in strong contention for the SA Shield.

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“It’s obviously good for us to have this opportunity (to win the Shield), but 110 percent our focus will be on our process.” The Stormers visit Ellis Park on Saturday, third on the URC log after slipping from first place following back-to-back defeats to the Sharks. Van Rooyen said the Lions know what mood the Capetonians will be in. “The Stormers, after playing the Sharks twice, didn’t get the wins.

We know how proud they are and the quality that they have. If you’re not going to be 110 percent ready for the Stormers, then they can absolutely tear you apart.” Lions captain Francke Horn agreed with his coach that while the job was done against the Sharks, there is plenty of work required. “The performance against the Bulls was not what we want to stand for,” he said.

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