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Lions know they have to do their talking on the field

football16 October 2025 05:00
By:Brenden Nel
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Ricardo Loubscher © Getty Images

The Lions are very aware of the criticism they’ve received since their start to this year’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign, but they’re hopeful this Saturday’s match against bottom-of-the-log Scarlets will provide them with a turnaround strategy that can give them hope for the long haul ahead.

Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher fronted up to media in Johannesburg ahead of the game and said while the team were still hurting from their three losses in as many games - they sit just ahead of Scarlets at the bottom of the log - there was still a lot of hope in the side.

The chance to face a fellow struggling side on the Highveld has given them a lot of hope, although there are doubts whether it will address all the underlying issues the side have at the moment, or restore confidence in a coaching team that has underperformed for five seasons now.

While at any other franchise that would be enough for a change, the Lions plod on, and continue to lament lost chances with virtually every post-match briefing sounding the same.

Loubscher didn’t go that route, to his credit, but did say it was the talking on the field that would count more than anything else.

TALKING ON THE FIELD

“I can talk and say a lot of good things but at the end of the day, it is about what we do out on the field and how we perform there,” Loubscher said.

“Behind the scenes, as coaches and players, we really work hard. We understand that people are maybe frustrated with our results but there is a lot of hard work going into it. We are going to keep working hard and, hopefully, we can turn the corner this weekend.”

Loubscher also denied there was a hangover from the Currie Cup final loss against Griquas, the Lions second last-second loss in a domestic competition in as many years, and believes it is simply about getting the execution right.

“No, I don't think so. When we analyse our games, we're getting excited about the opportunities, especially on the weekend against Benetton. We created so many opportunities. What was lacking was just the execution of that. So we had a few cross kicks into space.

“And it was just the execution of that. Angelo (Davids) was over the line but just knocked on as he went over. Then we probably identified five or more when we went through the game. I think you guys know it's all about momentum.

“Sometimes you need that one point win just to get that confidence and momentum going. And if it's not happening, it's almost like you have to restart. But the energy is good.

GOOD TO BE BACK AT HOME

“We can't wait for Saturday. It's nice to be back. Just to feel the sun. Obviously the weather was also good on that side. But it's nice to be at home, sleeping in your own bed. Some familiar things around you.

“So we can't wait. We know it's going to be a tough challenge on Saturday. Scarlets bring a different challenge. Defensively, they challenge you in a different way. So from an attack point of view, we need to make plans to handle that.”

One player the Lions will be without is Morne van den Berg, who picked up a hamstring injury early in the Benetton game. Nico Steyn is set to start with Layton Horn his deputy. World Junior Player of the year Hashim Pead will be involved in the SA under-21 final for the Lions this weekend against the Sharks.

“Unfortunately, he (Morne) picked up a hamstring injury. Hopefully it’s not too serious. So he's not available for the weekend. Yeah, but it's a tough one to lose him that early in the game.

“If I think back now, the week, the energy. He was so excited to be back and just to contribute to the team on and off the field. So hopefully we'll find out probably next week when he's available for the next game.

KRAPPIES MAY BE BACK NEXT WEEK

“He may be back for the Ulster game. So obviously we have to wait for the doctor and the physios and medical team. They're doing a brilliant job. We have to wait for them to just give us an update. And we'll get that on Monday, next week.

“But as you can see, he's walking around. He thinks he's also a coach or something. Yeah, that's good,” Loubscher laughed.

“It's lovely to have him around. He's just such a good guy and a good teammate. And I think he just wants to serve the team on and off the field.”

 

 

Another player to miss out is Eduan Keyter, who was a late withdrawal with illness last week and is likely to miss out this week as well.

Loubscher explained that Pead was always going to play for the under-21s, as the Lions see it as part of his development.

“No, I think the arrangement was always to have him available for the under-21s. I think it was nice to have him in the squad just to learn our systems. We're happy with Hash. The way he played for us. Obviously not a lot of game time but the plan was always for him to fly back and to join our juniors.”

The Lions will name their side for the Scarlets clash on Friday.

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