Lions prop SJ Kotze isn't holding back on the motivation provided by last year's heavy defeat to Glasgow. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Lions prop SJ Kotze admitted on Tuesday, after training at the Johannesburg Stadium, that he is still haunted by the spectre of their 42-0 walloping at the hands of Glasgow Warriors last season.
In what was a horrid first-half display last March, the Joburgers found themselves completely outplayed by the former champions, shipping all 42 points in the first stanza. They improved vastly in the second half to keep the Warriors scoreless, but were themselves toothless in registering any points.
Now, as they prepare to meet Glasgow at Ellis Park on Saturday (kick-off 4pm) in the current United Rugby Championship campaign, Kotze revealed that the previous drubbing still replays in the back of his mind. Kotze was on the bench in that loss, coming on as a replacement in the 48th minute for Juan Schoeman.
“The topic (the 42-0 loss) has been mentioned in team meetings, especially from the guys who were there last season and who experienced that game,” Kotze said.
“It haunts me a little bit. It wasn't the best day for us. For us, as a team this weekend, to come out it is not to prove a point but rather for us to play at our best.”
The table-topping Warriors are expected to field an impressive matchday 23 this weekend, especially after their narrow 23-19 Champions Cup loss to Toulon this past weekend and with the Stormers on the horizon in Cape Town next weekend.
Kotze explained that the last meeting was something of a revelation for him and his teammates, with the Lions expecting a similar approach on Saturday from the visitors.
“It is a type of rugby I had never experienced in my life, how fast they play,” Kotze said. “Stopping momentum and making positive space is what is going to help us make their ball slow.
“We will force our game onto them. They are coming to Ellis Park and they need to adapt to us. They are a dangerous team, but they will have to adapt to the way we play.”
The Lions are currently fifth in the URC standings on 43 points, 12 points adrift of the Warriors in first place. Victory over the Scottish franchise will be an important step towards Top 8 qualification and could even be argued as season-defining.
Thereafter, the Lions will play their final home game of the regular season against Connacht, before departing to Ireland for their final clashes against Leinster and Munster. Every point, therefore, in the coming fortnight will be crucial to reach the tournament's play-offs for the first time.