Following a resounding 52-29 triumph against the Pumas at Ellis Park, Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi couldn't hide his elation, especially given the team's quick bounce back from a tight loss just the previous Sunday. The Lions, with less recovery time than the Pumas, managed to secure a bonus-point victory that keeps their playoff hopes alive.
"I’m happy with the five points, it keeps us in the race for the playoff," Nkosi expressed. This marked a significant recovery, considering the team had only two training sessions before the match.
"It was a big challenge for these guys to come back and give a performance with only two training sessions."
Nkosi highlighted improvements in the team's dynamics, praising their sharper set-piece execution and better ball handling, a step up from their previous performance. "Last week was challenging, a contributing factor was probably a bit of cobwebs," he admitted.
"Today we saw a whole lot more cohesion and sticking to the things that we wanted to do. The more we play, the better the cohesion, the better the collisions, the better the set-piece will be. It’s just game time."
The coach also lauded fullback Latica Nela, who did not just score twice but has consistently impressed in his first two senior games after strong showings in the U21s and two Varsity Cup campaigns.
"He hasn’t looked out of place," commented Nkosi on Nela's seamless transition to the senior team. "It’s a deserved opportunity and long may his form continue."
Focusing on areas for improvement, Nkosi pointed out a tendency for lapses in concentration and a bit of naivety during the later stages of the game, which need addressing before the next encounter against the Bulls XV.
"You still saw a little bit of youthful naivety out there, particularly from minute 69 to about 75," he noted. In tighter contests, such moments could turn the tide of the game against them. "In a tighter game, you lose two restarts, you concede 14 points, the score is different."
The Lions are gearing up for their next challenge, hopeful to maintain their form and secure another vital win in their campaign. The team's evolving synergy and resilience are apparent, promising exciting matches ahead.
