Former Springbok Chester Williams was in the Cats team that played in the semifinals of the old Super 12 competition 16 years ago. The Cats (a combined team of Golden Lions‚ Free State Cheetahs‚ Leopards‚ Griquas‚ Pumas and Griffons players) managed to repeat the feat the following year in 2001 and no Lions team has scaled similar heights in the competition until this year.Williams‚ who went on to coach the Cats in 2004 and 2005‚ believes that the current Lions generation of players have got what it takes to go a step further and reach the Super Rugby final.The Lions host the Highlanders at Ellis Park on Saturday in a semifinal contest that has the home fans salivating at the possibility of contending for a title.“If you look at the Highlanders‚ they have had it tough flying to Australia (for their 15-9 win against the Brumbies in the quarterfinal)‚ back home to New Zealand and then to Johannesburg‚” Williams told Times Media Digital.Crowds welcome to see the Lions feed“The travel will play its part. If you also look at the way the Lions have been playing‚ I’m sure that they can beat them."I honestly believe that the Lions have about an 80 to 90 percent chance of winning on Saturday. You never know‚ we might even see them hosting a final at Ellis Park. That would be great.”The 1995 World Cup-winning winger had nothing but praise for the Lions’ impressive campaign in Super Rugby this season.Williams said he is impressed by the way the Lions have improved‚ given that the team was out in the cold in 2013 when coach Johan Ackermann first took over.“Their style of rugby is good for South African rugby. What is most important is that they have been consistent in the way they play and with the results. That is why they have been on top this season. They deserve to be there‚” said Williams.“The amazing thing is that they are a great side on and off the field. They are a family on and off the field. They communicate outside of rugby and that is what makes them such a success.”After watching Ackermann mould some relatively unknowns into Springbok players‚ Williams is eager to see how the Lions coach’s charges fare in the crucial stages of Super Rugby.“It should be a motivation for the players to try to prove that they can play in the final. This is also an opportunity for others (who have not played for the Boks) to get an opportunity [to impress].“Johan has really done well with the side. It is not by fluke that they are where they are. Ackers has given his players confidence and freedom to play what they see on the field‚ and that has contributed to their success.” - TMG Digital..