The confidence in the Lions squad is sky high and while the DHL Stormers may have some exceptional players, the Johannesburg side will be ready for whatever they throw at them this weekend when the two sides meet in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby game.
Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg was the man of the match in the comprehensive win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks last weekend at the same venue and with the Lions now in the top eight, the diminutive halfback is keen to see his team add another scalp to their roster this season and take another step forward to securing a playoff spot.
So while he has a lot of respect for the Stormers - with many of their star players his Springbok team-mates - Van den Berg believes the Lions will back themselves to come out on top this weekend.
‘WE BACK OURSELVES’
“They are an incredible team with incredible players and a lot of those players have that X-factor. But we are going to concentrate on what we can do. To force our game plan on them. It luckily isn’t the first time we have played against a side like that. They are a very good team but we are a very good team as well. We back ourselves and we believe we can win,” Van den Berg said on Tuesday.
The Lions have often let themselves down by not following up a signature win with a second victory and this has been one of the main reasons why they have never finished in the top eight in the short history of the URC.
But that is changing, and that is why it is important for them to add a second victory in as many weeks over a fellow South African side.
MASSIVE TO BACK UP SHARKS WIN
“It’s massive for us. First of all to have continuity in how we want to play. Enforcing our game plan onto other teams and enforcing our DNA. What we lacked in the past was we would play a good game and then not give a good response the next week. This week we really want to focus on implementing our DNA on the game. I feel if we do that then the points will take care of themselves.
“If we are going to focus on the table and where we are, you might get caught up in the run of things.
“As a whole how a team sees a game and the alignment is very important. I think we are starting to see the same picture and we are fighting for the right goals. In the last few weeks, especially after the Bulls game, it has been a wake-up call in terms of our alignment. I feel we are working hard on it - we are not there yet. But we are working hard and getting there slowly and surely.”
KEEPING UP THE STANDARDS
Van den Berg says the alignment between players is improving, especially as they drive each other hard to keep to a certain standard.
“For me I just want to drive the standards of the guys next to me and I expect them to drive the standards for me as well. I want to pick them up if they need it and want them to pick me up if I need it. It is creating a culture where we are working together to create a higher standard than we expect.”
“Krappies”, as he is affectionately known, also praised the experience he picked up at the Springbok team, and is trying to bring some of that across to fellow halfbacks Nico Steyn and Haashim Pead.
LEARNT FROM THE BOKS
“I definitely learnt a lot at the Boks. It's like building experience, building confidence, really working hard throughout the week to get that confidence in the game, to get that confidence in the small scale. Obviously taking things that you learnt from the Springboks, that you learnt from guys like Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams, Jaden Hendrikse and others, and then bringing it here.
“Hopefully I can help Nico and Ashim and all the other young guys. But yeah, certainly the experience helps, but then also actually putting in the work to get better and not have a complacency. Yeah, I would say that adds up.”
The Lions will name their side for the clash on Friday.