If Bulls coach Nollis Marais were to give any advice to his Lions counterpart Johan Ackermann ahead of their Super Rugby trip to Argentina‚ it would be that he takes his strongest side to South America. Ackermann has to decide whether to rest his frontline players or take them to Buenos Aires‚ where they will face the Jaguares in their last match before the Super Rugby playoffs.His charges have played non-stop rugby this year‚ with seven of his most trusted (minus the injured captain Warren Whiteley) having also featured in the Springboks’ June test series against Ireland.Marais is the most recent coach to have done the two-way journey across the Southern Atlantic Ocean‚ where his side suffered a 11-29 defeat to the Jaguares.“I would play the Boks‚” said Marais.“The problem with travelling there is that it is a 26-hour travel‚ and you must hope it doesn’t rain. It is difficult to travel back [home] and play… The most difficult game is the one after the trip to Argentina. “We only arrived around midday on Monday and didn’t do anything (training)‚ and only got the guys ready again on the Tuesday. It is a very difficult trip. I understand why he would want to [rest his players].”The Lions are on the back of an emphatic 57-21 win against the Southern Kings last weekend‚ and Ackermann will have to make a final decision‚ probably by late on Monday‚ whether he will rest some of his players or continue building momentum ahead of the knockout stages.Before worrying about the tough decisions‚ the Lions coach is just relieved that his side managed to get through their weekend’s match without losing any players to injury just before the most crucial stage of the competition.“We are grateful that we got through the game injury-free‚” said the Lions coach. While pondering his decision‚ Ackermann understands the amount of strain and effort he has required from his charges to bring his side to new heights in the southern hemisphere competition.For the first time the Lions have made the knockout stages all thanks to the hard work of his charges.“We have demanded a lot of pressure from the guys. That is the one part I must look at‚ as much as the physical part of having played 80-minute games for the most part.“I have to trust that [second-choice] players can play – all the guys in those positions. We have got the depth‚ it is only a matter of when is the right time to make that decision and back it. “We have to sit down and see what risks we want to take‚ and which we don’t want to take.”Despite the dilemma over the make up of the team Ackermann will travel with‚ the Lions have the full backing of their rivals from across the Jukskei River.“The Lions are so good at the moment they can play anywhere‚” Marais said. - TMG Digital..