Emirates Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen was clear that they will face similar challenges that they faced against the Cell C Sharks in the upcoming derby against the DHL Stormers on Saturday at the DHL Stadium at 19h00.
“It is going to be similar pressure next week when we face a Springbok-laden DHL Stormers team."
“The ability of those Springboks to turn it on, and when they have you under pressure to just finish it off, is world-class.
“That is why they perform as they do and we will face the same next week, a counter-attacking game and a good set piece.
“We don’t have a lot of time to fix it, but we have to make sure we are ready for the game.”
Van Rooyen dismissed an opinion that the Emirates Lions players were not interested against the Cell C Sharks, however, did he did admit that the "difference in physicality" when playing in local derbies is a definite stumbling block for his team and that they lost the physical battle in Durban.
“We could feel that we played against ten internationals and when you gift them possession and are unstructured, they will expose you,” Van Rooyen said.
