South Africa’s best side in the 2018 Super Rugby competition, the Lions are aiming to avenge last year’s defeat when they take on the Crusaders in the final in Christchurch on Saturday.
Former Springbok and Lions prop, Lawrence Sephaka believes the Lions’ underdog tag will drive them to beat the New Zealanders in their own backyard.
The Lions had to stage a dramatic comeback when they were 14-nil down in the semi-final to beat the Waratahs 44-26 to book themselves a third straight Super Rugby final.
Former Lions prop Lawrence Sephaka says the Lions have what it takes to cause a major upset.
“The key points I think are mind, consistency, and being clinical – those are the three pointers that will matter, and basically the Lions should show up there… they are clinical in their game plan, and they believe in it, and if it doesn’t work then they’ve got plan B. Because I think the weather is going to, because you must know the Crusaders… if it’s wet it’s gonna favour them. But if it’s dry, they might be worried because the South Africans will bring that force which they don’t like, and I think if they bring that first of all they might have a chance.”
Sephaka who played for the Lions for nine years, also has 24 Springbok caps under his belt when he represented the senior rugby team between 2001 and 2006.
He says the Lions’ game management will have to be spot-on, on the day.
“We’ve known through history, it’s been proven, that if you take on a New Zealander physically and you break him down, you chow him up, then you softening it up for everyone else to actually do their thing – and if the forwards can do that, because they’ve got a formidable pack… If the Lions can get under their skin and actually get them frustrated, get them off their base, then we’ve got a chance.”
