Ready to pounce

29 July 2016 - 09:27 By LIAM DEL CARME

THE Lions have become accustomed to being without their regular captain but it has rendered them anything but rudderless. THE Lions have become accustomed to being without their regular captain but it has rendered them anything but rudderless.Flank Jaco Kriel will again step into the breach as captain after Warren Whiteley was ruled out of tomorrow's Super rugby semifinal against the Highlanders at Ellis Park.Whiteley tweaked a calf muscle against the Crusaders and will be replaced at No8 by Ruan Ackermann.Without Whiteley the Lions lose their captain's rangy ability to be equally effective in attack and defence but they gain Ackermann's attraction to the ball and his impact in the collision. Does it change things for the coach?"Not at all. That's why we have a squad," said Johan Ackermann.As for Kriel, it is business as usual."I'm calm now and I know what to expect," said the man who led the Lions to the Currie Cup title last year and who took over when Whiteley got injured earlier this year.That calmness has permeated the rest of the squad, according to Ackermann, who is trying to approach the semifinal as "just another game". He expects his players to provide the same intensity and accuracy.The question is whether the Lions can deliver their high-octane brand of rugby in a more pressured environment."They have a different mindset from the other South African teams to how the game is supposed to be played," noted Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown."Their game is built around playing at speed and moving the ball quickly. It's like watching a New Zealand team. "There are similarities in our game. Our nine and 10 play a similar style to theirs."They have a lot of players who just want to play for the coach and our team is no different."See Page 19 for the weekend's must-see action..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.