There is a different feeling in the Lions’ camp this season ahead of two defining final United Rugby Championship (URC) round-robin matches in Ireland.
In third place on the log, they are not relying on other results going their way when the URC resumes in two weeks. They head to Leinster (9 May) and Munster (16 May) with a clear plan of what they must do to secure a first-ever URC play-off spot.
There will be no calculations about what needs to happen for them to make history, but they know two points should effectively seal their fate.
After defeating Connacht 33-21 in their final home match at Ellis Park, the Lions will take a short break ahead of their Irish mission, knowing their fate is in their own hands.
“Two seasons ago, when we thought we had secured a Top 8 spot, we slipped up in crucial games at home,” head coach Ivan van Rooyen said.
“We lost the last couple of matches and didn’t make it. However, I feel there has been plenty of growth since then. This time around, the feeling is a bit different, looking at where we are in our campaign and where we are heading.
“There is a sense of relief, yes, but we are not in the play-offs just yet.”
According to Van Rooyen, there has been significant growth in the squad since those shortcomings, and even this season, when things did not go their way early on. The Lions struggled at the start of the campaign but pulled things together with some impressive performances both overseas and at home.
That resilience over the past couple of months will give the team plenty of confidence heading into the final two clashes.
“Six months ago, we were spiralling, and you guys (the media) asked me how we were going to regain control. In that regard, we’ve grown quite a lot. Our decision-making is better. Our ability to transfer pressure onto our opponents has improved.
“Some elements of our game are developing consistently, and over the last three years, it just hasn’t been enough. But this year is different.”
