Heart of a Lion

Just like in war, Lions coach Johan Ackermann said yesterday, only a hollow victory can be derived from the denouement of the promotion-relegation battle.

Ackermann, who through firsthand experience is acutely aware of the crippling effects of Super rugby banishment, offered some sobering thoughts before tomorrow's second-leg match against the Southern Kings at Ellis Park.

"Somebody is going to lose. For the team that falls out, everything basically stops. Your development stops, your recruiting stops. It makes it difficult to get players. It is difficult to get sponsors and those who do join don't pay the full amount. You are just so limited," Ackermann sighed.

With these harsh realities in mind, he is taking nothing for granted, even though his team is in pole position after their seven-point victory over the Kings in Port Elizabeth last week.

The Lions have a free-spirited approach and will not be guided by the minimum requirement to get through the play-offs.

"For us it is zero-zero. For us it is about winning, not protecting a lead," the coach said.

They may not have faced the calibre of opposition the Kings have become accustomed to but the Lions are unbeaten since February. For captain JC Janse van Rensburg they need not deviate from what has worked for them. He departs for France after the match, which could be a bitter-sweet experience for him.

"Getting the Lions back into Super rugby was my major focus," Janse van Rensburg said. "For me to leave and not be around for Super 15 next year if we qualify will make me very angry. I'm going to be very disappointed. I'm gonna be very sad. Already I'm quite emotional. You never know, in a year I might be back."

Ackermann was drawn on the timing of the announcement earlier this week of rival coaching boss Alan Solomons's departure to Scotland.

"It's a difficult one. Given the relationship I have with my players, I think if I told them I'm leaving regardless of the result I don't think I would have had a positive group," the coach said.

"They would have wanted me to back them and stick with them. I don't know how they (the Kings) will react to it."

The prospect of having their advantage overturned and facing another year in the Super rugby wilderness is too ghastly for the coach to contemplate.

"We have deliberated a Plan B but we have to put that aside as we put our focus and energy into winning."