Lions keen to end poor URC form against South African rivals

The Lions are determined to end their poor form against South African sides in the United Rugby Championship when they take on the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

That was the word from the Johannesburg outfit's assistant coach Albert van den Berg, who highlighted the importance of winning their derbies.

The Lions have found the going tough against their local rivals, and apart from a 37-17 bonus-point triumph against the Stormers in Cape Town last December, they have lost all their matches against South African opposition.

Since that win over the Stormers, the Lions were beaten twice by the Sharks and Bulls during the 2021/22 URC campaign, and the men from Pretoria and the Stormers also beat them in Johannesburg earlier this season.

"It is definitely important for us. We beat the Stormers down in Cape Town, and since then, we haven't been able to win a game against South African opposition," van den Berg told the Citizen.

"It is a little bit of a mental block when we play against our own players. When we play against overseas players, the guys are a bit more open and just compete and go for it. The mental block is there for South African sides, but it is not something that is going to keep us from fighting.

"We want to be competitive, we want to stay in the race and to make sure when the opportunities are there we take it. The Sharks this weekend is a good opportunity for us to show what we have prepared for," he added.

"We know what they are going to bring, they have a good kicking game and great backs, good forwards, and their mauls are very important for them. It is a case for us to get over that mental block and to start well, and to stay in the race as long as possible and hopefully get the win."

The Lions face a huge challenge in Durban on Friday against a Sharks outfit who are expected to field several Springboks in their matchday squad.

"I said to the guys to please look forward to this game. It isn't every game that you get the chance to play against Thomas (du Toit), Eben (Etzebeth), Siya Kolisi, all the guys that are Springboks, and that is the only place you can go and measure yourself," said Van den Berg.

"We are looking forward to the game. It is a game where we can measure ourselves, see where our shortcomings are and what things are working and not working for us," he added.

"We know it is going to be physical; they have a great side and playing in Durban is not easy, but it is something we are looking forward to."