The Lions are not in the Super 15, we all know that but then what do people [...]]]> The Lions are improving incrementally with each game and can be very proud of their achievement in the Vodacom Cup Final. For a team who have been through what they have, the celebrations are well deserved and for anyone to play it down or scorn at this success shows ungraciousness and poor form.

The Lions are not in the Super 15, we all know that but then what do people expect? Do they expect the team to curl up and wither away? Why should we?

Say what you want about the standard of the Vodacom Cup, this just proves that the Lions are well above this level. The difference being is that the Lions have physically proven themselves to be better by actually winning silverware and not simply relying on a political ticket. And this is by far, no means a fully – fledged Super Rugby team playing against inexperienced opposition. Apart from the obvious point that as much as half of our regular S15 players are out on loan, the fact is many players in the squad have not even played Currie Cup Rugby yet and they have just beaten seasoned campaigners.

Nothing can be taken away from this achievement and how Coach Johan Ackerman has developed this team from Varsity Cup and Club Rugby players to champions.

The game itself was a fantastic exhibition of good quality rugby. The 2 teams were well matched in the opening exchanges and for much of the first half. It was evident that the game would not be a walk over for the Lions.

The Lions did concede tries and points, but these were well worked and executed. The Lions scored some well – constructed tries themselves, which punctuates the point that nothing was dished up on a plate for either side.

The way the Lions approached this game was very impressive, milking points whenever opportunities presented themselves and generally playing a lot tighter and appropriately depending on the situation. I must still qualify that comment as there were moments of foolhardiness and rashness, but in general they were a lot less than usual.

Marnitz Boshoff again proved to be a very valuable player and his stock has risen dramatically in my reckoning after the last 2 performances. He made a significant difference with his goal kicking and direction of play.

There is one thing that the Lions have always been blessed with and that is good captains. We’ve unfortunately been through quite a few of them over the past few years, but be it Baywatch; Franco; Josh and JC, Warren Whitely has been no exception. He once again led from the front and epitomised the characteristics needed to secure success in this campaign.

The Lions can now focus on their next objectives with some optimism and confidence but most of all they can relish the success that they have won. The following games, albeit will not count towards any silverware are equally if not more important than the ones they have just played.

Well done Lions, let’s take this to the next level now!

Final score: Lions 42; Pumas 28

The scorers:

Pumas: Tries: Pretorius, Van Wyk, Watermeyer Cons: Bezuidenhout 2 Pens: Bezuidenhout 3
Golden Lions: Tries: Tecklenburg, Volmink, Whiteley Cons: Boshoff 3 Pens: Boshoff 6 DG: Boshoff

The Pumas have been the most consistent team in the competition, losing only one match, and that against their final opponents on Friday.

The Golden Lions [...]]]> A Month ago if anybody said the Lions would feature in the Vodacom Cup final, that person would have been considered crazy. But alas, a catfight awaits us all on Friday evening with the winner being crowned Vodacom Cup Champs for 2013.

The Pumas have been the most consistent team in the competition, losing only one match, and that against their final opponents on Friday.

The Golden Lions had a horrible run after the GLRU decided to create the Lions challenge leading to the Lions having to play the Vodacom Cup with either junior players or club players, and the results clearly indicated this.

What will be seen as a blessing in disguise is the complete implosion of the Lions challenge, giving the Jo’burg side the opportunity to rather change their focus to winning the Vodacom Cup.

Since this happened, the Golden Lions have been unstoppable. Now many are saying the Lions are playing with a SupeRugby side, yet the reality is this side in it’s majority is very close to the Lions’ actual Vodacom side.

With so many SupeRugby players on loan, the Lions have had to completely fall back on their talent pool, and one must say that it has proven to be impressive.

In a completely fair world, the Pumas will lift the Cup come Friday, as they have been the most deserved, but with the Lions fielding a very strong side, one cannot argue against the Lions being the favorites.

Although the Lions should be able to beat the Pumas on paper, this Pumas side has beaten the Lions Currie Cup side on a couple of occasions.

If the Lions hold their heads, play percentage rugby, keep their discipline, and basically do what any quality side does, the Lions should come out on top and be crowned Vodacom Cup champs for 2013.

In a year where SupeRugby has been stolen from us, this achievement should have been priority in giving the union much needed silverware and confidence heading into the SupeRugby promotion/relegation matches.

After all, I don’t see the Kings anywhere on the list of past Champions.

Taute who has been on loan to the Stormers and has been ruled out of rugby till 2014, has had plenty offers and is currently considering a move that will be beneficial for his career.

“It’s always a challenge going to a new [...]]]> Jaco Taute will be a free agent as of the 1st of July 2013, and is considering making a permanent move to another union.

Taute who has been on loan to the Stormers and has been ruled out of rugby till 2014, has had plenty offers and is currently considering a move that will be beneficial for his career.

“It’s always a challenge going to a new union, and the set up here (in Cape Town) is really good and that is something I need to consider when looking what will be the best for my career.”

“Both unions are good, but I need to consider what will be the best for me going forward.”

Taute hasn’t had a good time at the Stormers with some average performances in SupeRugby.

The Stormers culture of rugby I don’t believe suit Taute as well as Jantjies, and they will be foolish considering a permanent move to the Cape side.

I’m sure sides like the Sharks and Bulls will be in line with offers and if Taute really wants to move, I’d definitely rather consider moving to the Bulls, which will suit his game more than the Stormers.

Hopefully Taute decides to stay in Lions country.

1 – Jacques van Rooyen 2 – Robbie Coetzee 3 – Ruan Dreyer 4 – Hendrik Roodt 5 – Hugo Kloppers 6 – Jaco Kriel 7 – Warwick Tecklenburg 8 – Warren Whiteley (C) 9 – Michael Bondesio (VC) 10 – Marnitz Boshoff 11 – Anthony Volmink [...]]]> Lions coach Johan Ackermann has opted for consistency and made just three changes to his side to the side. 
 The Team is :

1 – Jacques van Rooyen
2 – Robbie Coetzee
3 – Ruan Dreyer
4 – Hendrik Roodt
5 – Hugo Kloppers
6 – Jaco Kriel
7 – Warwick Tecklenburg
8 – Warren Whiteley (C)
9 – Michael Bondesio (VC)
10 – Marnitz Boshoff
11 – Anthony Volmink
12 – Alwyn Hollenbach 
13 – Deon van Rensburg
14 – Deon Helberg
15 – Chrysander Botha

Reserves:

16 – Francois du Toit
17 – Van Zyl Botha
18 – JJ Breet 
19 – Willie Britz
20 – Ross Cronje
21 – Lionel Cronje
22 – Dylan des Fountain

The win against Western Province in the Vodacom Cup semi final last Saturday was convincing and in many respects, impressive. In the context of Vodacom Cup rugby you probably won’t get much better than that.

I did manage to drag myself away from my books for [...]]]> I’m sweating bullets at the moment, with exams coming up this week, so I will have to be brief with this post.

The win against Western Province in the Vodacom Cup semi final last Saturday was convincing and in many respects, impressive. In the context of Vodacom Cup rugby you probably won’t get much better than that.

I did manage to drag myself away from my books for 2 hours and watched the game. Without any qualification, I am proud of the boys and they deserve all the merit and accolades due, nothing can be taken away from them for that showing.

With every game that the Lions are playing now, I am watching it with the view of comparing our performance to that of a Super 15 standard and in this context, I cannot shake the feeling of uneasiness and nervous tension that is gradually growing inside of me.

Make no mistake, the Lions are still making the same costly errors that have plagued them in all their campaigns to date. Our restarts are still a great concern where if we don’t concede points shortly after scoring some of our own, we almost always end up under pressure deep inside our 22.

Lineouts were inconsistent and at times our option taking was faulty. A good Super Rugby opponent will exact damage against us with merciless efficiency if we continue in these ways. The fact that WP were woeful at times was a relief that cannot be taken for granted at a higher level.

Marnitz Boshoff played one his best games so far and I was relieved to see that he has more to offer than his performances of the past.

Willie Britz always seems to be involved in every facet of play and one has to admire his work ethic. Deon Helberg has always been one of my personal favourites (despite some glaring deficiencies) and I believe that he can develop into a very useful player.

Bondesio is by far, our classiest player and will no doubt attract the attention of scouts from other Unions. I really hope that we can hold on to him.

In conclusion, I believe that if the Lions can learn how to be patient and begin to understand instinctively when to pass; when to kick and when to run there will be not that much that will separate them from any other Super 15 team.

The hard games are now upon us and a true test of our abilities will begin. Let’s hope that we grow and develop in the right ways.

Team is :

Matches against Samoa, the Stormers and the Sharks will go ahead as scheduled, while there have been changes to other fixtures.

At the request of French side Agen, the fixture scheduled against their team on May 11 has been cancelled. This as a result of Agen’s relegation from the Top [...]]]> The Golden Lions Rugby Union on Monday announced several changes to the MTN Lions’ upcoming Lions Challenge fixture schedule.

Matches against Samoa, the Stormers and the Sharks will go ahead as scheduled, while there have been changes to other fixtures.

At the request of French side Agen, the fixture scheduled against their team on May 11 has been cancelled. This as a result of Agen’s relegation from the Top 14 tournament.

The GLRU is, however, pleased to announce that Ellis Park will play host to a Vodacom Cup semi-final clash against Western Province this Saturday at 14h15 instead. The MTN Golden Lions will look to field a full strength side for this fixture.

Regarding the French Barbarians match scheduled for June 8, the GLRU have opted to draft in a South African Barbarians team instead. The side will include several established South African players based both locally and abroad. More details will follow in the upcoming weeks.

Additionally, the original agreement made between the GLRU and Montpellier, with regards to the match scheduled for July 12, still stands. This agreement will see the fixture cancelled should Montpellier qualify for the Top 14 play-offs. An alternate first-class fixture is currently on standby should the match be cancelled.

The match scheduled for July 20, which will see the MTN Lions face Grenoble at Ellis Park, will be confirmed in the weeks ahead.

For more information regarding upcoming fixtures please do not hesitate to contact the GLRU on 011 402 2960.

Tickets can be purchased online via Computicket or at the Ellis Park ticket office which can be reached on 011 402 8644.

SCORERS

MTN Golden Lions – Tries: Deon van Rensburg, Anthony Volmink, Chrysander Botha; Conversions: Marnitz Boshoff (3); Penalties Boshoff (6); Drop goal: Boshoff.

Sharks XV – Try: Sizo Maseko; Conversion: Fred Zeilinga, Penalties: Zeilinga (6).

Ackermann has strengthened his side by recalling several senior players. The match will take place on Friday 3 May, at 15h00, on the Kings Park II outer-field in Durban.

MTN Lions