Lions coach Johan Ackermann knows he has a massive task getting his charges ready for this weekend’s massive Vodacom Super Rugby showdown with the Sharks, but the weather that has beset Gauteng over the past week certainly isn’t helping.
Ackermann lamented the fact his team couldn’t train because of waterlogged pitches as the rain continued to bucket down for a fifth consecutive day in Johannesburg.
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And with the massive task of trying to score what would be considered an upset win against the Sharks, Ackermann is waiting for a little sunshine to find its way into his training camp.
“The rain isn’t helping,” Ackermann sighed, “It hasn’t stopped. Our field is a mass of water at the moment so we had to keep the practice short. We can’t practice for more than 30 minutes at a time, and we haven’t been able to since Monday.”
Ackermann said while his side had learnt their lessons from losing in the wet to the Vodacom Bulls on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld, the time they had to make the adjustments necessary before heading to Durban was getting less and less.
The shortened practice sessions have hampered their preparations, with the coaching team not very confident of letting players open themselves up to injury on pitches that are neither firm, nor well-drained.
“Rain is fine and we don’t mind training in it,” Ackermann added, “But then we’re talking about the traditional storms we have in Johannesburg, where its wet but the field is still firum underfood. After four or five days of rain then the water doesn’t seep into the ground anymore.
“It becomes a risk to train in such conditions because the players can easily slide and injure themselves. It’s an injury risk for us. We don’t mind being able to train in the rain, because it helps us prepare for such conditions and changes your mindset- passes are shorter and players are closer together. But after training in this for an hour and a half, the players are ice-cold and we have to worry that they get sick as well.
“The time we’re losing on the field is crucial for us, and definitely not ideal. We have to make the best of it though.”
Ackermann will decide Wednesday of any changes to the side and whether or not he will bring back Springbok Elton Jantjies and winger Anthony Volminck to the starting line-up. Both have now recovered from a shoulder injury and are eligible for selection.
The Lions lost their pre-season game to the Sharks at Ellis Park by a heavy margin, but few of that team are expected in the starting line-up for this weekend.