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Hard work pays off for Lions

Since that defeat, the Lions have beaten the Blues 43-5, the Jaguares 52-24 and this weekend they thrashed their Gauteng rivals, the Bulls 56-20 at Loftus Versfeld.

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They are now just three points behind the Crusaders at the top of the combined Super Rugby table and are one of the red-hot favourites for the title this year.

"We have worked hard since we were taught a lesson in that Hurricanes game and the guys worked hard in the week on the contact area and it showed tonight that we can do it," said Ackermann at the post match press conference in Pretoria.

"They [Bulls] are definitely a good team this year. They have big players, they are physical and their defence is very strong, Hard work pays off for Lionsso I would have taken any win tonight."

Ackermann said the win against the Bulls was right up there with the very best.

"I am proud of the guys – obviously the victory away from home against the Chiefs was also special. 

"The guys did well to beat the Sharks away from home and the Stormers [at Ellis Park]. 

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"It [Bulls game] is up there. There were mistakes, so it was not the perfect game, but it was definitely close to an 80-minute performance," he added.

Lions captain Warren Whiteley attributed the team's success to the culture that Ackermann and the rest of the Lions' management team have built over the last few years.

"There is a lot of excitement amongst the group," said Whiteley. 

"For the last three or four years it's been a collective effort and the coaches have built a culture that the players want to be part of – one that we enjoy and thrive in and one where we as individuals can be unique."

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Meanwhile, Ackermann will be working closely with Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee for the next few days.

Ackermann will coach SA 'A' for their two-match series against the England Saxons next month and will be sharing ideas with the Springbok management team.

"I will have the privilege to join the Boks for the next week before we join as an SA 'A' squad. I will see what Allister wants to achieve with the Boks – I will sit with him and see if they want me to take that blueprint to the SA 'A' side.

"To my understanding, those SA 'A' players will be next in line so that is great for the players to know that they will get a taste of international rugby, but also if they perform well they can maybe get a call up to the Springbok side," Ackermann added.

@rugby365com

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