Lions will not be slowing down

Johannesburg – Taking an eight-point lead at the top of the Currie Cup thanks to their seventh consecutive victory the Golden Lions have no intention of taking the foot off the accelerator.

Saturday's 26-18 win over the Sharks in Johannesburg cemented their dominance in the Currie Cup this season and strengthened their chances of claiming a home semi-final with three rounds of matches left before the playoffs take place.

Lions coach Johan Ackermann said the team needed to continue their winning run to secure the crucial home-ground advantage during the playoffs.

"We need to continue ticking the boxes, we need to continue winning and put pressure on the teams chasing us," Ackermann said.

"The bonus points we won up to the fifth round when the Bulls and us were chasing each other was important.

"But now that we've got our noses in front and if we continue winning we will secure that home advantage."

The victory would give the Lions some breathing space and although they would be looking for to further strengthen their position, Ackermann said they would not obsess over their log position.

Defeat for the Sharks saw them slump to their second consecutive loss. The Cheetahs have now moved past them into fourth place on the log.

Sharks director of rugby Gary Gold was nevertheless proud of his charges after they launched a gritty fightback in the dying moments of the match in which they scored two tries.

"We came back there with a couple of tries, it was a great effort all round. We didn’t take our chances which is disappointing  but we stayed in the fight against a very good Lions team," Gold said.

"There were a couple of opportunities that we created for ourselves and we got way behind them, just spilt the ball and made silly errors.

"It was a very difficult day, we are disappointed again, but I am proud of the guys for the fight they showed."