Swys de Bruin: I can’t just throw a ton of bricks on my Lions

A lack of confidence is letting the team down and is currently detrimental to the Golden Lions Currie Cup campaign.

Coach Swys de Bruin admitted he has to pick up the pieces after they were thrashed 39-3 by Western Province at Newlands at the weekend.

Also read: Five takeaways from the weekend’s Currie Cup action

“I can be old school and throw a ton of bricks on them but step for step, I have to get the confidence of the guys back,” he said.

“Because the mistakes they have made out there it is like there’s no confidence anymore.”

De Bruin said he thought it was more a case of “between the ears” than really anywhere else and mentally they haven’t been in a good space.

The transition between the Lions’ Super Rugby campaign and the start of the Currie Cup hasn’t been a smooth ride for them.

“It’s a test of character for us,” said De Bruin.

“We are experiencing these growing pains at the moment and we experienced the same things last season with the Currie Cup.

“We just need one or two things to happen, it’s funny in sport like in golf when you need a birdie at the right time.”

The Lions are rock bottom in last place following four losses in five matches and this weekend they have to play away to the Cheetahs who are sitting pretty at the top of the standings.

They might also have to look for their third captain after first No 8 Ryan Kankowski picked up a groin injury and at the weekend prop Jacques van Rooyen injured his calf.

“We have got issues with leadership. Jacques van Rooyen is a good leader, but he is a bit tied up at front. We have got good leaders in the tight five and we won’t lie down,” said De Bruin.

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