Lions scrumhalf Jano Vermaak will, in all likelihood, be relegated to the bench for Saturday’s Super Rugby clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, coach John Mitchell said on Monday.

The quickfire scrumhalf took a knock to his head in last week’s match against the Blues and, although he should be ready for action by the weekend, Mitchell said he will not be taking any risks.

This means former Sharks scrumhalf Rory Kockott could earn his first start for the Lions this weekend.

“Jano will be available and he will be in the 22 but he is unlikely to start,” said Mitchell.

Despite the team’s third consecutive loss of the season there were no signs of depression at the team’s training session.

The general consensus in the team is that their maiden win is just around the corner and they just need to make use of the chances they create.

“There is no reason why spirits shouldn’t be high,” said Mitchell.

“This team is still growing its leadership, it’s still growing its belief and that’s the only thing this team has to deal with and you also need to understand that there are 11 boys who have now only played three games at this level.”

Apart from Vermaak who looks set to start from the bench, the Lions’ mentor insisted he will continue to keep faith and will not be overhauling the team.

“I’m building trust and faith here, whereas I don’t think it has been here in the past, so I’m not a chopping and changing coach.

“It will be a matter of managing people physically and mentally and, in Jano’s case, that is what we are doing.”