Edinburgh can still achieve top-four finish, insists Boan Venter

Edinburgh have lost their opening two games of the season ahead of facing the Lions on Saturday after head coach Everitt set a top-four target.

Edinburgh faced a difficult fixture list to start the season with Leinster and the Bulls - last season’s beaten URC finalists - but they are now without a win in their last four competitive games.

“It definitely motivates us,” Venter replied when asked about ending Edinburgh’s losing streak.

”It was a disappointing end to last season. I think we were pretty much waiting to see what the results of other teams were to see if we could make the play-offs.

"If you ask anyone, you don’t want to be in that position because you want to cement yourself in the top four, or at least the top eight, so that it doesn’t come down to other teams’ results. 

Edinburgh prop Boan Venter (Image: SNS)

“Hopefully, for us, we can get back on the horse, rack up some good tries and play some beautiful rugby and really get some bonus points early on and carry through that momentum towards the end of the season.

“Yes, it was a tough start for us but we’re back on the horse and have prepared as well as we could and very much looking forward to another cracking game at the weekend.

"It’s such a well rounded competition and if you look at the results we have been having in the first two rounds of the URC there is no such thing as an easy game any more so you have to be switched on from round one up until the play-offs, or wherever you make it to.”

Read more:

• Mark Fletcher: Reasons to be concerned after Edinburgh's loss to Bulls
• Grant Gilchrist admits individual errors hurt Edinburgh in Bulls defeat
• Sean Everitt frustrated as Edinburgh beaten by Bulls comeback

After facing the Lions, Edinburgh will fly back to Scotland after two weeks in South Africa and it’s been a beneficial trip to build chemistry with Venter enjoying being back in his homeland. 

“It’s so good,” the South African admitted. “The weather has been nice for the last few days and I’ve been able to catch up with friends and family as well, so it’s a real blessing to be back.

“The boys are in and around the pool and sunbathing a bit so it’s really nice, especially when hearing from the missus that the weather has taken a turn for the worse back home! We’re soaking it up while it lasts.”