Lions in pre-season refereeing clampdown

The Lions head to Kempton Park on Saturday with a large squad, where they will play the Falcons and Leopards in back-to-back matches.

All the players will get at least 40 to 50 minutes of game time between the two matches, but no player will play more than 60 minutes.

Ackermann said in the past he asked referees to be "lenient" in these pre-season matches, but the most recent law adjustments had forced a rethink.

He wants to see where they stand in regards to things like their line-outs, scrum, attack and defence.

"We need a base to work from," Ackermann told rugby365.

"We won't be focussed too much on the result," the Lions coach said, adding: "We have asked the referee to be as strict as possible on the laws.

"We need to become accustomed to the laws and the discipline that will be required when the competition gets underway.

"In the past we asked for some leniency from the referee, but that has changed.

"I want the referee to be strict on all the laws – especially with the changes to the laws.

"I don't want the players to get away with things and then a few weeks down the line run into issues, saying they didn't realise the referees will be that strict.

"In that regard, hopefully our discipline will be good."

Ackermann said they do have a few new things they would like to add to their gameplan, but it won't be major issues.

The Lions will continue to play their normal brand of attractive rugby.

"I want the team to play, not stop and kick at goal," he told rugby365, adding: "I would rather see them take a line-out or a scrum, so we can get plays off those.

"I would hope the opposition do the same, so that we can test our systems on defence.

"I would like to see where we stand.

"The players also need contact, as we have not had much contact."

There is also plenty of good news on the injury front.

Star centre Harold Vorster, back from a knee injury, is taking full part in training, but can't take contact yet.

"We are waiting for the surgeon to give him the clearance and that could be in the next fortnight.

"Lionel Mapoe [leg] will start training with us from Monday, then he could be ready and the only player who is still a way off from returning is Derick Minnie [knee].

"The initial timeframe for his return was 11 to 12 months and he is now at 10 months, so he won't be ready before late March, early April.

"We are very privileged to have only one long-term injury in such a large group."

By Jan de Koning

@King365ed

@rugby365com