Johannesburg – Geoffrey Toyana's tenure as the Highveld Lions rugby coach did not get off to an auspicious start last week.
His charges suffered a 10 wicket hiding at the hands of a rampant Cape Cobras outfit, in Potchefstroom, on Sunday.
“It was a bit of a hiding, we didn't play well,” Toyana said.
“We've taken it on the chin as a team. We were way below par; hopefully, this week we can make amends.”
Prior to the start of the season, Toyana said they were going out with an aggressive attitude.
“We were aggressive last week, but to be honest and to be fair to the Cobras, Andrew Puttick played very well, so our aggression is not going to go away. We have some quick bowlers around here who are aggressive, and we will look to encourage that,” he said.
“We spoke in our seminar... if we play bad cricket on the day, we deserve to lose, but hopefully we can get it better this week.”
The team will be without Alviro Petersen, who injured his left hand during the encounter with the Cape Cobras.
“Petersen is expected to be out for at least three weeks, and hopefully back in time for the Champions league match at the Wanderers on October 14 against the Mumbai Indians,” he said.
Toyana was full of praise for wicketkeeper and batsman Quinton de Kock.
“He is an awesome talent, and will definitely play for South Africa before he's 21.
“He is that talented, even the Cobras guys were saying this kid can play.
“He plays all the shots in the book and that is what we encourage.”
De Kock came in at number six last week, but is expected to open the batting this week.
Neil McKenzie will play for the Lions and not Hampshire in the Champions League.
Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, and Morne Morkel have, however, opted to play for their IPL sides and not their home franchises. – Sapa