{"id":344457,"date":"2025-12-31T10:12:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T10:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/344457\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T10:12:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T10:12:12","slug":"lions-promise-dominance-in-durban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/344457\/","title":{"rendered":"Lions promise dominance in Durban"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hooker PJ Botha says the Lions want to make a statement against the Sharks at Kings Park on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The Lions are eighth on the Vodacom URC log after a 34-27 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town two weeks ago, but believe they are close to turning strong performances into consistent results.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a couple of things to work on after the Stormers game,\u201d said Botha. \u201cWe\u2019ve spent the week going through those, but overall we\u2019re just looking forward to the match against the Sharks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to go there and not just compete, but dominate.\u201d<\/p>\n

MORE: Lions name new forwards coach<\/a><\/p>\n

Botha dismissed any suggestion that physicality would decide the contest, pointing instead to mindset and execution.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t believe we play matches or opponents without physicality anymore. Every match is physical and the Sharks are no different. As a team we feel we are in a great place, physicality-wise and mentality-wise. We are ready for the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher highlighted the demanding conditions expected in Durban and the need for clarity under pressure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever it\u2019s a derby, especially a South African derby, the battle is physical,\u201d Loubscher said. \u201cYou have to look at the humidity in Durban and the rain we\u2019ve had. We need to prepare for all the possible conditions and make sure mentally we\u2019re in the right frame of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALSO: Sharks-Lions in Durban never short on drama<\/a><\/p>\n

Loubscher stressed that structure and accuracy would be key against a Sharks side growing in confidence under interim coach JP Pietersen after back-to-back wins.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want everything to be process-driven,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s attack, defence and kicking game. If you look at the Sharks since JP took over, they are a team that is on the up. We can see the improved effort, the belief and we can see it in the way they play.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell done to him \u2013 we all know his credentials as a player and he is the right guy. He is taking the team forward. You can see the players are more confident and enjoying what they are doing, and that\u2019s nice to see.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know it\u2019s going to be a tough battle on Saturday, but we are excited. If you look at the names they have and the experience in that squad, it\u2019s exciting because there are a lot of things we\u2019ve learned within our own team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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