Morgan Bolton
Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen might have worn a stoic mask after the game, when he spoke about an exceptional triumph over Edinburgh, but one suspects only joyous feelings were percolating just under the surface.
The Joburgers were ruthless on Saturday in the United Rugby Championship at Ellis Park, dispatching the Scottish outfit in an efficient 55-21 victory. Although pragmatic about the display, Van Rooyen agreed that it was arguably the best first half performance from his team under his tenure.
“If you are talking intensity and pedal to the metal,” Van Rooyen said, in the post-match interview, “I would think that. We have had a couple of good halves before but in terms of being clinical, taking opportunities and creating plays – the small things – probably (was the best showing).”
Some thoughts from @LionsRugbyCo after they crushed Edinburgh in the @URCOfficial_RSA at Ellis Park@IOLsport @TheStar_news pic.twitter.com/9mFPo0ZlZk
— Morgan Bolton (@FreemanZAR) October 5, 2024
It was an opinion echoed by captain Francke Horn. He might not be in the mould of a Jasper Wiese or Elrigh Louw, but the 25-year-old offers a set of skills and talents that conceivably make him one of the best eighthmen in the country.
“We had a really good week of preparation and we really looked hard at ourselves on what we could improve,” Horn explained.
“In the first 40, we did it really, really well ... There will be very good lessons coming out of the second half, especially when going on tour. You need to know how to close out games or to keep your foot on the throat when you have the game in your hands.
“There was no better example of that than in the second half. We will have a look at that and take what lesson we can.”
Statistically, Edinburgh had the better of the possession (46%-54%) and territory (40%-60%), while the Lions also made more tackles during the encounter (162-104) but it was the near flawless execution of their attack and counter-attack that sealed the victory, especially in the first stanza as they ran in seven of their eight tries.
The only real concern after the match, was the niggle that flyhalf Kade Wolhuter picked up in the 35th minute. With a European tour looming, Van Rooyen and Co will hope the 23-year-old – who has battled constantly with injury – will be eligible for selection.
Wolhuter has only improved since first turning out for the Lions in the Currie Cup earlier this year, and on Saturday he was playing with style and confidence as he marshalled his backline.
Said Van Rooyen of Wolhuter: “Even though it was only 35 minutes, it was by far best performance in a Lions jumper.
“That is the promise he has shown from a schoolboy – the ability to attack, to defend, to kick, to take space and make good decisions. Hopefully, we pulled him off soon enough.
“We will only know (today). Hopefully, it is not that bad.”
The Lions will depart later this week for matches against the Dragons, Zebre and Leinster. They do so with a full complement of 10 points from two games after beating both Ulster and Edinburgh with bonus-points.
An international break follows, and after that the team will return to Europe to play Munster and start their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign against the Ospreys. Their next home game will only be on December 14 against Pau, so the next block of fixtures could reveal their true potential this season.
“Dragons have improved immensely,” Van Rooyen said before the Welsh side narrowly lost to the Sharks 33-30.
“Zebre (who also lost to the Stormers) were untouchable in that second half against Munster (a week earlier), and then Leinster at the Aviva will probably pick their strongest team before they get to the November break. It will be three tough games.
“We focussed hard on these first two home games,” he continued.
“We know we really have to be in tip-top form against Dragons, if we want a result and the same against Zebre. We like playing against the Leinsters and the Munsters because that is where we see where we are and where we can test ourselves. Before we can get there, Dragons are the most important.”