Captain Francke Horn says the Lions “cannot retreat into our shells” as they target four successive home wins and a first appearance in the Vodacom URC playoffs.
The Joburg-based franchise are 14th on the log after two tour defeats to Cardiff and Glasgow left them six points outside the top eight.
But they have a golden opportunity to salvage their season with matches against Benetton, Connacht, Scarlets and Ospreys at Ellis Park to end their league-stage campaign.
“So far we have had a fairly successful season on our home ground and we hope to continue that in our next four games,” Horn told Netwerk24 ahead of Saturday’s match against Benetton.
“I don’t think there is a player in this team who doesn’t think we can still make the playoffs. We will now give everything we have in these four games. We hope our fans will come to Ellis Park in large numbers to support us and help us score good tries.”
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The Lions beat Benetton 37-29 in the only URC fixture between the teams at Ellis Park, in 2022, and Horn knows it won’t be easy against the Italian club who are currently seventh on the log and targeting the playoffs themselves.
“But we can only focus on ourselves,” he said. “The big lesson we have learned is that we cannot retreat into our shells. We know we will have to play very well in the next four weeks to get ourselves into the playoffs. If we can do that, anything can happen after that.
“We have to approach the next four games with enthusiasm. If you stay in your shell, it can make you anxious and you won’t achieve what you want.
“We have nothing to lose and it’s time for us to break the chains around us and play our own style of rugby.”
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Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
