Kevin de Klerk, president of the Golden Lions Rugby Union, will fly to New Zealand next week to provide moral support to his team, who lost their fifth successive Super 14 match 73-12 to the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.
De Klerk emphasised his joining the team in Christchurch should not be seen as a measure of desperation or a mission to axe members of management or the playing squad.
“The guys need our support, and I want to provide it first-hand. In addition, I want to see what can be done to change our fortunes,” De Klerk said on Saturday.
“Now is not the time for drastic measures. The team has played well and improved with every outing in their first three matches, despite defeat.
“In the first three weeks I felt we were playing a decent game, but in the last two we dropped off. I am, however, confident matters can be put right.”
The Lions still have two matches remaining on their five-match tour of Australasia. After a match against the Hurricanes in New Zealand they flew to Australia for matches against the Brumbies and Waratahs, and now face the Crusaders and Highlanders over the next two weekends. – Sapa