AUDIO: Is the Lions' era over?
SUPER RUGBY SPOTLIGHT: The Lions, on the brink of failing to make the Super Rugby play-offs for the first time since 2015, remain adamant their future looks bright.
Despite still desperately clinging to first place in the South African conference, the Lions appear some way off from repeating their feats of 2016 and 2017 – reaching the Final.
They also face a mass exodus of senior players at the end of the season, with many pundits believing that 2018 may well be their last chance of repeating their (Transvaal’s) 1993 feat of winning a Super Rugby tournament.
They have just one game remaining, against the Bulls at Ellis Park on July 14.
The Johannesburg-based franchise has 41 points from their 15 matches – eight wins, five try-scoring bonus points and four losing (by seven points or less) bonus points.
They are closely followed by the Jaguares from Argentina – 38 points from 14 matches, nine wins and just two bonus points. The Jaguares are on a seven-match winning streak.
The Sharks, who beat the Lions 31-24 this past weekend, have an outside chance of a top-eight finish – with 32 points from 14 matches, six wins, a draw and six bonus points.
The Lions have a bye this week, while the Jaguares (against the Bulls in Pretoria) and Sharks (the Stormers in Cape Town) have must-win matches.
The Jaguares and Sharks meet in Durban on July 14, in what could be a ‘play-off’ match between them.
Given the current standings, the Lions – who can finish anywhere from first to third in the SA conference – require two points to secure a top-eight finish.
However, they need either the Bulls or the Sharks to beat the Jaguares to finish top of the SA conference.
The bigger talking point for the Lions is the looming mass exodus – right after their three-year unbeaten run against other South African teams came to an end.
Pundits see this as a sign that the Lions’ period of reign is coming to an end.
Confirmed departures include centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg (to Sale Sharks) prop Ruan Dreyer (Gloucester), lock Franco Mostert (Gloucester – although the Lions have disputed this) and flank Jaco Kriel (Gloucester).
Speculation about the departure of other senior players increased in recent weeks. Fullback Andries Coetzee (Sale Sharks, Gloucester & Toulon) and prop Jacques van Rooyen (Bath) have been linked to European clubs.
Flyhalf Elton Jantjies, flank Cyle Brink and utility back Lionel Mapoe have also been linked to moves abroad.
The latest departures follow last year’s mini-exodus – when hooker Armand van der Merwe (Sharks), scrumhalf Francois de Klerk (Wasps) and flank Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester) also departed.
Lions coach Swys de Bruin played down the exodus and said the franchise’s junior structures are in good shape and there is enough talent to fill the gaps.
He compared it to ‘pruning a three’ to allow for new growth.
“I believe in seasons,” De Bruin said, adding: “Our junior systems [are good], just have a look at the team playing in that [Under-21] competition.
“We had about 11 or 12 players in the SA Under-20 team [at the World Junior championship].”
De Bruin said they are retaining the spine of the senior team and that should stand them in good stead in years to come.
“We are retaining Malcolm Marx, Ross [Cronje] is still here, Warren Whiteley, our captain, is still staying on, Elton [Jantjies].
“The right seniors are still here.”
He said the coaching staff will also remain intact.
“Cash [conditioning coach Ivan van Rooyen] is a relatively young trainer that knows the guys and the systems. We have three young coaches, who coached with me this year and came through the Under-19 and Under-21 systems.
“There are guys leaving, but we wish them well. I am pleased we could play a part in their development.
“Just remember where they were six years ago. Most of this team that took as to two finals, were rejects at other unions.”
De Bruin said he preferred to look at the positives.
“The union is alive and it is going well,” the coach said, adding: “I am very optimistic with those guys going.
“If guys go, that is life. It is how you react and the reaction is very positive.
“Obviously guys are chasing our good players, but a lot of them still want to stay.
“Jaco Kriel is still around making a positive contribution. He is helping the young guys in a mentorship role.
“I love what I see here at the moment.
“If it happens that we must take a dip to become good again, then that is fine.”
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