Lions on the brink of historic URC playoff

The Lions closed in on a first-ever place in the Vodacom URC playoffs after suffering a narrow defeat to the 14-man DHL Stormers in Cape Town.

Despite surrendering a nine-point lead to a Stormers side reduced to 14 men in the second half, the Lions still managed to take a vital losing bonus-point at Cape Town stadium.

The point moves the Lions up to eighth place on the Vodacom URC table, ahead of Edinburgh, who suffered a heavy defeat to Benetton, with the Italian side securing their place in the final eight.

However, the Lions will be waiting on the Welsh derby between Cardiff and Ospreys. If Ospreys claim a bonus-point win, they will leapfrog the Lions into the final playoff spot.

“It would mean everything for us as a group,” coach Ivan van Rooyen said. “We knew two or three years ago that we had to restart. In that process there are a lot of ups and downs.

“In the last six to eight weeks, we have been playing really good rugby. Munster managed to get us out of rhythm, but after the games against Leinster, Glasgow, Cardiff and the Stormers today, we feel we are there. We are punching, giving ourselves opportunities to win.

“It will be huge. We are potentially four to six Springboks away in the next 12 or 16 months. We know where we are as a group. If we manage to get into the playoffs, it would be the cherry on top of the season for us.”

Looking at the game itself, Van Rooyen felt that the Lions had the upper hand, but let themselves down with their discipline in the second half.

“We conceded crucial penalties early on in the second half, which changed the momentum a little bit,” he said.

“We spoke about penalties, we could feel that the way we were playing frustrated them a little bit. We felt if we could stick in there and force them to make risky offloads, we could have an opportunity.

“Unfortunately, we conceded too many penalties early on and they came back.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images