Mzwakhe Nkosi says the Lions’ narrow defeat in the Currie Cup on Sunday is only the start for a young squad that will soon be strengthened by several Junior Springboks.
The Joburgers let a late lead slip in a 29-27 loss to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, but Nkosi said there was enough in the performance to suggest better results are on the horizon. In round two, the Lions return to Ellis Park to face the Pumas on Saturday.
“The result is obviously not what we wanted it to be, but there are many [positives] to take from it,” the head coach said.
“I felt particularly in the second half that we played really well when we had the ball in hand, and our defence improved during the second stanza.
“Our ill-discipline was probably our undoing in the end and our inability to finish two [scoring] chances.
RECAP: Faf helps Cheetahs edge Lions
“We created six 22m entries and converted only two in the second half.
“Even in the final play, had we kept the ball for a phase or two extra, we could’ve gotten over the line and we would’ve been having a different conversation.”
Nkosi also welcomed the imminent return of the Lions’ Junior Boks stars like centre Ethan Adams after South Africa successfully defended the Junior World Championship title in Georgia.
“Firstly, congratulations to those guys,” he said. “We had eight Junior Boks in that team, and seven of them started in the final.
ALSO: Currie Cup qualifying could change
“Again, it bodes well for us if we make it count… Hopefully there’s a clean bill of health, and I’m sure we’ll see one or two of them [get selected] over the next seven or eight weeks.”
Nkosi said the youthful make-up of his Lions squad also offered plenty of encouragement.
“We wanted to prove a point. We had 13 debutants, and you have to put that into context, including 11 U21 players, so there’s a lot going for us.
“But that only counts if we get the [desired] result… Guys like Likhona Finca showed what they’re capable of, as did many guys who came off the bench.
“So there’s plenty to go forward with,” he added.
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images
The post Lions boss looks for Junior Boks boost appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Mzwakhe Nkosi says the Lions’ narrow defeat in the Currie Cup on Sunday is only the start for a young squad that will soon be strengthened by several Junior Springboks.
The post Lions boss looks for Junior Boks boost appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
