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Jannie du Plessis (Gallo Images)
- The Lions’ trio of “elders” – Jannie du Plessis, Willem Alberts and Jaco Kriel – were at the forefront of their team’s outstanding victory over the Cheetahs.
- Head coach Ivan van Rooyen praised them for taking the lead in a week in which all players were poised to deliver a positive result at Bloemfontein.
- Skipper Elton Jantjies believes the Lions are getting better every week.
While there is no question that the Lions produced an excellent team performance to beat the Cheetahs 39-23 at Bloemfontein on Saturday night, it would be remiss not to highlight the influence of their “golden old men” trio.
38-year-old tighthead Jannie du Plessis and 36-year-old lock Willem Alberts, both outstanding Springboks in their prime, were at the heart of a show that combined power with style and incisiveness.
Both veterans scored rare attempts, and Du Plessis’s overwhelming spectacle was one of the most memorable moments of the match.
Young Jaco Kriel, younger but highly experienced at 31, was active and remarkable, breaking the wing just after the break for scrum-half Andre Warner’s vital first attempt.
“Seeing the tight forwards scoring shots was extraordinary. It was so nice to see Jannie pass out,” said Ivan van Rooyen, the Lions head coach, laughing afterward.
HOW IT HAPPENED | Cheetahs 23-39 Lions
“He admitted to the locker room that he couldn’t remember the last time he scored a try. It was great.
“The trio was like a good red wine in this game. They really played well. We had a good week, the message was clear and everyone accepted the way we wanted to play.
“The older guys really raised their hands.”
Five attempts attested to the Lions’ attacking verve, but it was undeniable that, for the first time in a long time, the forwards stole the show.
“It was good to sit in the coach’s box and watch the players express themselves a little bit. But the point guard was really up front, the forwards good,” said Van Rooyen.
Generally dependable and inventive pivot and patron Elton Jantjies was also excited by the variety displayed by him and his teammates.
“There has been real growth,” he said.
“We are not focused on the past, we just focus weekly on improving. I am very excited about the direction we are going, we have become more united and we know each other better.
“The leaders are making good decisions. When the coaches start talking to us about space, the players see it beforehand, which means that we are really studying our game and improving weekly.”
