Emirates Lions captain Francke Horn said the Emirates Lions have an opportunity in their four matches at home against Benetton Rugby, Connacht, Scarlets and Ospreys to end their Vodacom United Rugby Championship league-stage campaign, qualifying for the play-offs.
"So far we have had a fairly successful season on our home ground and we hope to continue that in our next four games."
"I don’t think there is a player in this team who doesn’t think we can still make the playoffs. We will now give everything we have in these four games. We hope our fans will come to Ellis Park in large numbers to support us and help us score good tries."
Horn said it won’t be easy against Benetton, who is also in a race to qualify for the top eight.
"But we can only focus on ourselves. The big lesson we have learned is that we cannot retreat into our shells. We know we will have to play very well in the next four weeks to get ourselves into the playoffs. If we can do that, anything can happen after that."
"We have to approach the next four games with enthusiasm. If you stay in your shell, it can make you anxious, and you won’t achieve what you want."
“We have nothing to lose and it’s time for us to break the chains around us and play our own style of rugby."
Assistant coach Barend Pieterse delivered the same message earlier in the week.
"In a perfect world, we wouldn’t want to be here now. We really believe that we can still make it. In our minds, we can 100% still make it if we just do what we need to do."
"If we get bonus points in every game, great. If we win all the games, it’s not going to be ideal, then we have to wait for other results."
Pieterse admitted that consistency is a worry, once again.
"Again, going back to last season, that was one of the things we spoke about. We are definitely not consistent enough. And that is something that will be a work on for us every week. Because if we want to be in the Top Eight, if we want to play in Europe, we need to be much more consistent."
"Currently, we are a team that plays three great games, and then two poor ones or vice versa. It is something we have to work on very hard. If we are going further this season or not, it is something we have to have next season. Consistency must be much better."
