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Lions: Bok boost for Sharks
21/07/2008 22:05 - (SA)
Beeld
Hennie Brandt
Johannesburg - The Sharks will be bolstered by at least three Springboks when they play the Lions in a Currie Cup rugby match in Durban on Saturday.
Peter de Villiers, coach of the national team, has released wing Odwa Ndungane, all-rounder Ruan Pienaar and Tendai Mtawarira for the match at the Absa Stadium.
The Lions may also face Ryan Kankowski. If the Springbok No 8 receives medical clearance, the Sharks selectors could also make use of his talents.
There is little doubt that Sharks coach John Plumtree will make use of the opportunity to inject some international class into his team.
The Sharks, having started their campaign well, lost 9-31 to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein last week. Defeat on their home ground this week could have serious consequences.
Lions coach Eugene Eloff is certain that Plumtree will field the available Springboks. "The Sharks are in trouble. They have to win at home," he said on Monday.
Eloff was not satisfied with his own team's defence after their 36-32 victory against Griquas last week.
Too many of our players got stuck into the rucks while Griquas had several players on the outside. They used every scrap of possession to run from anywhere.
"That, and the fact that we missed first-time tackles, put us under pressure and we had to scramble on defence."
Lack of concentration late in the match also cost his team. "We made a fatal error in the 58th minute. Had we scored then, Griquas would have been out of the picture."
Looking at this week's match, Eloff is glad that the Lions did not win by too far. "One has to guard against too much confidence. But we have momentum and we scored a few nice tries when we put things together."
The Lions returned injury free from Kimberley and are likely to retain their run-on team for the clash against the Sharks.
- Beeld
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