n Paar nuwe gesigte sal hul eerste verskyning in die Leeu trui maak, wat die span daai klein bietjie onervarendheid gee, maar die Leeus het moontlik steeds n paar Wereldbeker wenners in hulle 22 tal.

Michael Bondesio en Callie Visagie sal hul SupeRugby [...]]]> Die MTN Leeus durf die Cheetahs Saterdag op Coca-Cola park aan met meeste van hul spelers beskikbaar wat die Sharks in die Currie Beker finaal getroef het.

n Paar nuwe gesigte sal hul eerste verskyning in die Leeu trui maak, wat die span daai klein bietjie onervarendheid gee, maar die Leeus het moontlik steeds n paar Wereldbeker wenners in hulle 22 tal.

Michael Bondesio en Callie Visagie sal hul SupeRugby debute maak vir die Leeus, maar ook hul eerste verskyning in SupeRugby.

Hendrik Roodt en Tiaan Meyer sal hul debute vir die Leeus van die bank af maak. Roodt sal die wedstryd begin indien van Heerden nie n laat fiksheidstoets slaag nie. In die geval sal Stephan Greeff, Roodt se plek op die bank inneem.

Wereldbeker wenner CJ van der Linde sal ook die eerste keer vir die Leeus in SupeRugby uit draf indien hy kans van die bank af kry. Michael Rhodes kon ongelukkig nie vir die kragmeting oorweeg word nie agv n besering. Michael Killian sal ook van die bank af speel nadat sy naam onder die reserwes aangekondig is.

MTN Leeus:

Jaco Taute, Deon van Rensburg, Doppies la Grange, Alwyn Hollenbach, James Kamana, Elton Jantjies, Michael Bondesio, Josh Strauss (c), Derick Minnie, Baywatch Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden/Hendrik Roodt, Pat Cilliers, Callie Visagie, JC van Rensburg. Reserwes: Martin Bezuidenhout, CJ van der Linde, Hendrik Roodt/Stephan Greeff, Warren Whiteley, Tiaan Meyer, Butch James, Michael Killian.

Answers must be e-mailed to:- willie.t@telkomsa.net (Please ensure that your contact details are on your e-mail.)

The question is:

On the 22nd of May 1993 Transvaal won the inaugural Super Rugby tournament, beating an All Black laden Auckland side 20 – 17.

The Lions scored 3 tries [...]]]> The first 5 people with the correct answer to the following question will win 2 tickets for Saturday’s game against the Cheetahs.

Answers must be e-mailed to:- willie.t@telkomsa.net (Please ensure that your contact details are on your e-mail.)

The question is:

On the 22^nd of May 1993 Transvaal won the inaugural Super Rugby tournament, beating an All Black laden Auckland side 20 – 17.

The Lions scored 3 tries in this match, one of which was from Captain Francois Pienaar. Another player scored 2 tries for Transvaal in this game. Who was this person?

Once the winners have been contacted and arrangements made, the names will be posted on the website.

Langvingers:

I cannot recall the competition between the South African teams participating in Super Rugby ever being as fierce or as close as it currently is. Teams that are traditionally the stronger competitors have experienced one or two speed – wobbles and teams that are the traditional buttock end of the tournament suddenly look full [...]]]> LV and Willa both take a look at the upcoming SupeRugby campaign for the Lions.

Langvingers:

I cannot recall the competition between the South African teams participating in Super Rugby ever being as fierce or as close as it currently is. Teams that are traditionally the stronger competitors have experienced one or two speed – wobbles and teams that are the traditional buttock end of the tournament suddenly look full of confidence and unqualified potential.

You can therefore be as scientific or academic as you like, there are simply too many unknowns for 4 out of the 5 SA teams and any prediction regarding their fortunes will either be based on reputation or otherwise pure speculation and gut feel.

The Sharks are the only local side with any amount of stability that can be determined from a solid base, with a proven track record. The departure of some of their enigmatic personnel can arguably end up better for the team and expectations will be high amongst their coastal pavilions and colorful promenades. What concerns me, however with the Sharks is that they seem to have lost that exciting flare that they once pioneered and have evolved into a more conservative and exceedingly physical team.

This may very well pay dividends in the pool stages and allow the Sharks “Not to lose” games and grind out some hard pressed victories, resulting in a solid accumulation of log points. It is my view however that come the play off stage, all the teams are solid in their defense and can competently withstand a continuous forward dominated battering. In Super Rugby it takes flare and moments of brilliance that win the big matches and the Sharks did not seem to have enough of this during last year. They still remain South Africa’s best chance in this year’s Super 15.

For the Bulls and in particular, the Stormers this year will be very challenging as both traditional powerhouses have lost irreplaceable players as well as coaching administrators. The Bulls so far appear to have recovered the better by way of some valuable acquisitions and do seem to have had the better structures in place to mitigate these disruptions. For the Stormers I fear, the season can go either way, for with so much controversy for them to contend with, they certainly do not look stronger than the team that came 2^nd overall and topped the local conference last year.

The Lions and the Cheetah’s for the first time ever have enjoyed some consistency and actually have a number of incredible playmakers as well as some hard and rugged war horses. Both teams work well as a unit and are able to craft and construct attractive scores. For the Lions in particular this season is on a knife edge and as with the Stormers, can go either way. It would be vital for the Lion’s season to kick off to a good start, but if this is achieved it will be at the expense of the Cheetahs.

This is the point where academics and deductive reasoning fall out the window. History may be a nice point of reference, but it holds no certainty. It is also hard to be completely objective when you have so much emotional attachment to an individual team. The point of reference that I am using is the manner in which the teams last played and how they looked near the end of last year.

I admit that this method is flawed and many teams were heavily depleted as a result of their Springboks being on national call at the Rugby World Cup. It also is quite convenient for a Lions supporter, being the Currie Cup champions and all.

History will tell you that a team’s success in the Currie Cup does not translate into Super 15 success. I think that people were more referring to the Cheetahs in 2007, what then about the Sharks and WP in 2010? The 2 teams faced each other in a hotly contested Currie Cup final and both teams did well in the following years Super Rugby competition.

The Lions just looked the part, looked more solid, looked more composed and looked like a winning team. The Cheetahs also looked like this, but there were 2 games in the Currie Cup that they really should have won comfortably, but ended up giving them away. One was against the Lions and the other was against the Bulls the week before. The Cheetahs will need to improve on their defense if they want to build on the immense talent and playmaking gift they have with Johan Goosen.

What the Lions achieved in 2011 cannot be simply deleted with a sigh and a shrug. Their accomplishments cannot be negated by a mere suggestion that that was Currie Cup and this is now the Super 15. The Lions genuinely now have become a good team. A team I dare say, that have the capability to top the SA conference and make it to the play off’s.

Whether this happens or not…. – history will tell you that it is unlikely and the pundits and experts will mostly go with the opinion that the Lions will end 4^th or last in the conference. Whilst you cannot argue with this reasoning or find fault with this intellect, the question still remains for now unanswered.

“Just how good have the Lions really become?”

The gauge that was used last i.e. the Currie Cup, has been deemed to be too low and the Lions surpassed this mark by a fair amount.

My view is that even though the Lions played against depleted teams for the majority of the CC, the manner in which we dispatched them was impressive. And even when we played against the bigger Unions whose Springboks were all abroad, these teams were still strong and yet again, they were dispatched with style and efficiency.

I believe that we are genuinely looking at a new dawn and a new future and I have never believed this more reverently as I do now. The Lions are now a force that deserves respect and there are so many reasons why, and yet so many reasons why not – the Lions can finish 2^nd in the conference. You can take the academic perspective and find the reasons why not to. Or you can take the other view and believe the reasons why else?

Willa:

Die MTN Leeus is wel die Currie Beker Kampioene vir 2011, maar almal besef dat SupeRugby n geheel en al ander uitdaging is wat vir die manne van Johannesburg af wag.

Die laaste 10 jaar, het die Leeus n skokkende rekord in die toernooi, en die publiek kan nie regtig blameer word om te verwag dat as n span moet uit val, dit die Leeus is nie. Ons resultate sover bewys dat ons dit verdien.

Dis daarom, dat 2012 die jaar moet wees waar die Leeus hul stem begin duk maak in die mees uitmergelendste en rowwe provinsiale kompetisie in die wereld. Ons het n ordentlike pak voorspelers, ons het n ordentlike en fisiesie agterlyn en ons swakste eienskap die afgelope paar jaar, ons verdediging, het skielik in een van ons sterk punte in verander.

Ons het ervare spelers wat Wereldbekers al gewen het. Ons het jeug en entoesiasme an ons kant en ons het beslis een van die beste afrigting spanne in die kompetisie by Coca-Cola Park.

Ons begin met meeste van ons wedstryde tuis, en die Leeus sal dit tot hul voordeel moet gebruik. Kry selfvertroue, bou punte en werk jouself op na die boonste helfte. Ons het bewys ons kan oorsee wen, en as ons weer punte op die pad kry en n paar wedstryde weg wen teen ons tradisionele CurrieBeker opponente, gan die Leeus beslis in die top helfte eindig in 2012. Ek het vir Bobby Skinstad op Twitter gevra waar hy dink die Leeus gan eindig. Boonste helfte.

Dit hang alles af of die Leeus hulle Currie Beker sukses vorentoe kan vat en daarop kan bou. Ons het beter diepte as in die verlede, die manne het geloof in mekaar en hulle besef wat wag. Ek glo werklik die Leeus gan nie laer as 8ste eindig nie. Ons gan goeie rugby speel, maar ons gan sukkel om in die Kaap en in Durban te wen. Ons toer is moeilik, so ek verwag nie vuurwerke nie, maar ek verwag wel dat ons met elke wedstryd punte gan kry.

8ste of beter vir die Leeus in SupeRugby 2012 en 3de in die SA konferensie. Dit gan lank wees, maar ek gan elke oomblik geniet. Kom nou die Leeus!!!!

It goes without saying that competitors have to be able to attend the match – i.e. live in Gauteng or at [...]]]> We confirm that WTR will have 10 free tickets for Saturday’s game to giveaway. We will be posting a question sometime on Wednesday the 22^nd of Feb between 10am and 1pm on the website and the first 5 people to e-mail the correct answer will each win 2 tickets.

It goes without saying that competitors have to be able to attend the match – i.e. live in Gauteng or at least have connections to people in Gauteng (if you wish to win the tickets on someone’s behalf).

The winners will be announced on Friday (or before).

So keep on logging in, keep on giving us ideas and Good Luck!

CJ has recovered well from a hernia operation he had during the off season and van Heerden’s dodgy knee that troubled him throughout 2011 appears to have healed well enough. Both are now training with the squad [...]]]> News that Springboks CJ van der Linde and Wikus van Heerden could be available for selection for the Lions first Super 15 match of 2012 against the Cheetahs on Saturday has surfaced.

CJ has recovered well from a hernia operation he had during the off season and van Heerden’s dodgy knee that troubled him throughout 2011 appears to have healed well enough. Both are now training with the squad and forwards coach Johan Ackerman has gone on record as saying that both “Will be considered.”

It would be a missive boost for the Lions if both Wikus and CJ are fully match fit for the clash against the Cheetahs, with the visitors set to miss the services of Juan Smith and Coenie Oosthuizen. If Wikus does play, he will certainly team up again with Franco van der Merwe in the 2^nd row who has fully recovered from his eye injury. I have also gone on record for predicting that CJ is about to have the best season of his life – so watch this space…

Only Badise Maku, Dylon Des Fountain and Waylon Murray our currently out with long term injuries for the Lions and we hope that no further disruptions occur for the time being.

The full Super 15 squad and team for Saturday will be announced on Wednesday the 22^nd of February.

In other news, Stormers 1^st choice outside centre, Juan de Jongh has not recovered from a knock to his jaw, sustained against the Lions in the pre season warm up match and will miss the Stormers first hit out against the Hurricanes. Bryan Habana is set to fill in at no.13.

Dit sal met die SupeRugby voorskou begin en sal die hele seisoen tussen die voorskou of opsomming van die wedstryde af gewissel word. Lekker lees en dis amper afskop tyd!!!!!

The Pumas went into an early lead through a penalty, but the Lions replied the same and the scores were level after 5 minutes of play.

The Pumas scored the first try of the match and missed the conversion and this put the hosts [...]]]> The Lions came from trailing the Pumas 3 – 8 at halftime, to winning their final warm-up game of the season 13 – 11.

The Pumas went into an early lead through a penalty, but the Lions replied the same and the scores were level after 5 minutes of play.

The Pumas scored the first try of the match and missed the conversion and this put the hosts into an 8 – 3 lead. This was also to be the halftime score.

The Pumas extended their lead soon after halftime with another penalty, but the Lions started to find their rythm and fought their way back through a penalty and soon after a converted try.

The Lions won the game 13 – 11.

Considering that this was mostly a Lions Vodacom side made up of U/19 and U/21 players, and being up against a full strength Pumas Currie Cup side, its a good indication as to the growth the Lions have had within their Junior structures.

There were a couple of SupeRugby squad members getting an opportunity against the Pumas, but the bulk of the side was made up of the junior sides within the GLRU.

The Lions will be lead by the exciting Warren Whiteley, who has established himself more as an impact player than a regular starting 15 member. Warren however has always [...]]]> The Lions head to Mpumalanga for their 3^rd un – televised pre Super 15 warm up match against the Pumas. This match will represent the last real chance for some players to impress or fail before the squad announcement next Wednesday.

The Lions will be lead by the exciting Warren Whiteley, who has established himself more as an impact player than a regular starting 15 member. Warren however has always impressed with an incredible work rate and a deceiving turn of pace. I remember most fondly in last year’s Currie Cup for his outside breaks that resulted in very important tries at the death of the games against the Bulls (round 1) and the Cheetahs (round 2).

The fact that Whiteley has been selected as captain for this match must be an indication of the high regard the coaches have of him.

Although the Lion’s team will be made up mostly of fringe players and Vodacom Cup players, Whiteley will be accompanies by Michael Killian (from the bench); Stephan Greef; Martin Bezuidenhout (from the bench) and Jacobie Adriaanse. The selection of this team also indicates that John Mitchell and his lieutenants already have a clear idea of who will be in their Super 15 squad.

The Pumas have never been an easy side to play against. They are tough, physical and well coached by Jimmy Stonehouse and so this encounter may not be walk in the park that was enjoyed earlier in the week. Nelspruit, although a rather pretty town, will also not be a very welcoming venue.

The Pumas side will feature Danwel Demas and also ex Lion, Renaldo Bothma.

For me, I believed that Renaldo Bothma showed great potential when with the Lions, but I suppose that the loose forward competition within the squad is simply too strong and the only way that Bothma could secure more regular game time was to relocate. Still, we wish him all the best.

The teams are as follows:

Lions: Marais Schmidt, Anthony Volminck, Harold Vorster, Robert de Bruyn, Janus Jonker, Andries Coetzee, Whestley Moolman, Warren Whiteley (k), Uzair Cassiem, Ruaan Lerm, Stephan Greeff, Paul Willemse, Jacobie Adriaanse, Francois du Toit, Caylib Oosthuizen.

Replacements: Martin Bezuidenhout, Ruan Dreyer, Gideon Muller, Kenny Okafor, Fabian Booysen, Nico Kruger, Garth April, Bradley Moolman, Michael Killian, JR Esterhuizen, Jaco Kriel.

Pumas: Coenie van Wyk, Danwel Demas, JW Jonker, Dewald Pretorius, Wilhelm Loock, JC Roos, Shaun Venter, Nicol Mostert, JP Mostert, Renaldo Bothma, Eduan van der Walt, Rudi Mathee, Ashley Buys, Torsten van Jaarsveld, De Jay Terblanche.

Replacements: Pellow van der Westhuizen, Drew van Coller, Corné Fourie, Boela Serfontein, RW Kember, Faf de Klerk, Carl Bezuidenhout, Hendrik Meyer, Ashwin Scott, Deon Scholtz, Dewald Pieters.

Kick off is at 15:00pm.

In other news, ex Lions legend, Andre Pretorius will be making his debut in Leopard colours against the Bulls a little later this afternoon. The Leopards will have a strong “Lions flavour” with not only Pretoors in the driving seat, but through their coaches Leon Bossoff and ex Lions ace, Jorrie Muller.

It seems inevitable that the KINGS will be a Super Rugby Franchise by hook or by crook, [...]]]> With all the stories regarding The LIONS (The best team ever, no matter results or supporter numbers), ie finances, participation in Super Rugby and possible future existence, I just want to voice my opinion on the matter and possibly the rest of the members on WTR and beyond will agree or disagree.

It seems inevitable that the KINGS will be a Super Rugby Franchise by hook or by crook, and with so many “Dooms Day Prophets” predicating it to be The LIONS that will need to make way, I want SARU or the people in the decision making process to consider the following:

When Super Rugby launched, the Top 3 CC teams qualified to participate in the following years competition, we did not have central teams and played as our CC provinces, not any of the CC Unions cried fowl or bitched if by there CC performances that did not qualify for Super Rugby the next time around.

So why should a side automatically be included, surely the CC Premier Division must be made up of the Super Franchise Contenders (As the CC Premier now only consists of 6) with the Top 5 participating in the following years Super competition, based on that a Team like the Kings can source players at will to strengthen there log position and ultimately compete on merit.

In my opinion it can be achieved by the following steps:

- Step 1 Cancel the Promotion Relegation from Premier to First Division and Include the Kings in the CC Premier Division from 2013.(Unfortunately at the expense of the Griquas)

- Step 2 should be that based on the Regional system each Super Franchise share the revenue by agreement amongst its feeder Unions, (Which I understand is already in place), Teams currently in the 1^st Division.

- Step 3 The Teams which are competing in the 1^st division to understand that they will not gain promotion or be a Super Franchise and by affiliation they will grow talent and provide experience to younger players so that will be able to be Super Rugby players, a sort of feeder system similar to what the Varsity and Vodacom Cup competitions are doing.

- Step 4 Top 5 CC Franchises automatically qualify for Super Rugby for the next competition year.

- Step 5 The revenue generated by broadcast sponsorships still be divided equally by the “6” Super Franchises, the 5 that compete will make additional revenue from tickets, sports wear etc

- Step 6 The team that did not qualify to compete in the VODACOM Cup as per normal

- Step 7 Format to remain in place until the Super Competition again expands to include a Team from Argentina etc

I believe if we can implement a structure as I suggest all parties can be satisfied, I am just not for the automatic inclusion as I don’t believe that the Kings are deserving of their place. I am not in the boarding or a fly on the wall I just don’t a want my team to lose out to “Political Views” and or “Hidden Agenda’s” and since we are a democracy let the teams compete for a place like it should be and not dictated by a couple of boardroom “Numbers”.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Regards

Juan Jansen