From surviving with 38% possession to matching Leinster’s league form, scrumhalf Morne van den Berg explains why the "new" Lions are ready for the pressure in Dublin.
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The Lions head into their United Rugby Championship clash against defending champions Leinster with a newfound sense of self-assurance, a far cry from the side that narrowly missed out in Dublin last season.
On that pleasant October day, the Lions gave it a right go. But at the end of the day, they walked into a “Viking” called RG Snyman, who produced an incredible performance to help steer his team to a 24–6 victory.
However, while that previous encounter ended in a heartbreaking defeat, the current squad arrives on Irish soil bolstered by a formidable streak of six consecutive home wins and, perhaps more importantly, a solidified tactical identity. Luckily for them, there also isn't an RG Snyman to terrorise them.
The Lions have been on a tear in the URC, shooting up to third on the standings with two rounds to go. The fact that they are ahead of the mighty Leinster on the standings — albeit on points difference — tells you all you need to know about their current form.
For scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, the growth of the group is not just measured in results, but in how they cope when they are under duress.
The lessons from past failings have become the foundation of their current resurgence, with their last match against Connacht at home showing just how stoic they can be after clinching victory with just 38% possession and having lost a man to the sin bin.
“Our game management, our identity, and how we understand the game is much better now,” Van den Berg noted.
“We are all on the same page. When you come here, and you are under pressure, you want to lean on each other, and I think this is where we as a team have grown. We all understand the situation a lot better.”
Having proven their mettle in the rarefied air of Johannesburg, the challenge now is to translate that dominance into a proper away performance. A victory in Dublin on Saturday would represent a massive development for a group that is eyeing a deep run in the post-season.
The Lions' home play-off fate is still in their own hands. Crucial points against Leinster and Munster over the next two weekends could see them host knockout games at Ellis Park, which has been an almost impregnable fortress this season.
“We are at a place where we are really backing our game,” Van den Berg added. “If we can prove to ourselves that our game is good enough to beat Leinster away from home, then we can really back ourselves in the play-offs.”
Assistant coach Jaque Fourie echoes this sentiment, stressing that the days of just trying to hold on for results in the Northern Hemisphere are over.
Reflecting on last year’s clash, Fourie believes the scoreboard failed to tell the whole story, but the experience served as a vital reminder for the squad about how tough it will be against Leinster.
“We were in the game until the end,” Fourie recalled. “They got a penalty try and the score wasn’t quite a fair reflection of the match. However, we have since had five unbelievable games at home and gained a lot of confidence. That is what you need when you come and play Leinster on their home turf.”
Fourie is under no illusions about the scale of the task facing the Lions against one of Europe's traditional powerhouses, but he insists the mindset is singular.
“It’s tough going to Ireland and playing one of the oldest clubs in the world,” said Fourie. “But we came here with one goal — it’s always make or break for us and we came here to win.
"We are not here to play around or just compete. We have also found our identity; we know how to play and what we need to do on Saturday to beat Leinster. Whatever happens on Saturday, it is in our hands.
"We can’t expect other teams to do us favours. Now it’s about fine-tuning at training and building towards the match.”