The Lions’ philosophy regarding their Currie Cup campaign and how they want to approach their game plan is simple – if you were to ask Jarod Cairns.
With a knowing smile, he will state confidently that the Joburgers want to play the type of rugby that turns “Test match into champagne rugby”.
The Lions certainly look the business this season in the Currie Cup.
Along with the Blue Bulls, they are undefeated and top of the log after three matches with the teams separated only by points difference at the top.
Cairns has played in all three of those victories, starting with a narrow win over the Sharks in Durban, then the demolition of the Pumas at Mbombela Stadium, and most recently a determined victory over a niggly Griquas side at home.
Tomorrow, they could add a fourth scalp and brag about a double triumph when they host the winless Sharks at Ellis Park (3pm start).
Cairns and his teammates will probably all agree that they have enjoyed spells where they have converted their training field theories into match-day realities.
Equally, despite the impressive start, they remain just short of popping corks after every attack.
“It has been a good start,” the 23-year-old loose forward agreed yesterday.
“The boys have come with high standards, and we have just been keeping at that, hoping to raise it each week higher and higher.
“There is a lot more rugby for us to jol, and we are going to play better rugby as the season goes on.”
It was a sentiment shared by Cairns’ skipper, Jaco Visagie, who has led the Lions in all three games, while sharing some insight into what they will look to correct against the visitors this weekend.
Said the hooker: “Three wins, but not perfect ones.
“The first one against the Sharks was a bit scrappy. We conceded 15 penalties in that game, and there were a lot of errors.
“Discipline will be crucial for this weekend, and we have to cut down on the errors.
“The Griquas made it hard for us last week at the breakdown, so we have had a massive focus on it this week.
“As a group, we find solutions quite quickly on the field, and we have adapted well. In every game, we have found a way to win. That is a massive positive for me.”
Visagie has been with the Lions for five years, and while the 32-year-old remained diplomatic in his expectations for the Currie Cup this season, he made it clear that winning the coveted trophy remains firmly on his bucket list.
“I get a bit of goosebumps thinking about it,” he said, while rubbing his forearm.
“I honestly want to win a Currie Cup. It is one of my goals, but at the moment we don’t look too far ahead. We focus on ourselves every week and by the game.”
Yesterday at Johannesburg Stadium, newly-capped Springboks Quan Horn and Ruan Venter were spotted at training, with both the United Rugby Championship and Currie Cup squads working together, coach Mziwakhe Nkosi barking orders from the middle.
The return of the duo from the Bok set-up, Visagie revealed, has buoyed all and sundry in Doornfontein.
“It is good to have them back. We had a good conversation on Thursday morning. Having Springboks in your camp just lifts the whole union. It is good for us. They have come back with the expertise and the knowledge they’ve got from the Springboks, and they have shared it with us. It’s positive vibes.”
Nkosi will name his match 23 to face the Durbanites today.