Lions to invest in youth

The Lions will continue to invest in their youth as they continue the upwards curve they have shown in Super Rugby and on the domestic scene.

The Lions' season came to an end in Cape Town at the weekend – a 19-all draw with the Stormers that saw them drop out of the Super Rugby play-off race.

While coach Johan Ackermann and captain Warren Whiteley said they were "proud" of the effort put in throughout the season, the men from Johannesburg are already looking towards the future – with the next stage of their development coming when the Currie Cup season gets underway in two months.

Having played all 16 of their regular season matches, the Lions currently sit in seventh place on the standings – with nine wins and a draw, their best season in the professional era by some distance.

Their previous best was last year's seven wins – having watched from the sidelines in 2013 when the Southern Kings were given a freebie. Before that their best finish was 12th (with five wins in 2007 and four wins in 2009).

In the amateur era their predecessors, Transvaal, won the Super 10 title in 1993 and lost in the 1995 Super 10 Final.

However, since their return to Super Rugby last year, the Lions have relied heavily on youth and no-name payers discarded by other unions to build a very competitive squad – a trend that is likely to continue.

Prop Schalk van der Merwe is heading off to Montpellier in France soon, while flyhalf Elton Jantjies is due for another stint in japan.

However, coach Johan Ackermann said they are set to retain the bulk of the current squad for the Currie Cup season and next year's Super Rugby campaign.

"We only have a few players who still have to commit," the coach told a media briefing in Cape Town, after his team's draw with the Stormers.

"If we have to play this game again next year, we would most likely have the same team on the field – with the exception of Schalk [van der Merwe]."

He said that first prize is to retain the entire squad, to maintain that continuity.

"We are, unfortunately, not on the same budget as some other unions. However, if the budget allows we'll look to bring in a few players that can add value to the group.

"We'll have to look at our young players, our own guys. There are a few guys who did not play in this match, who – with a good off-season and time to work with – can fill some vacancies.

"It is not a case of just getting any player, as there is always a price. You also have to ask yourself: 'What will he contribute to the group'?"

Ackermann said there are some very exciting youngsters who can – like rookie midfielder Harold Vorster – hopefully make the step up to Super Rugby without too much trouble.

He pointed to Jaco van der Walt, his brother Gerdus van der Walt and Rohan Janse van Rensburg, who was surplus to requirements at the Bulls.

"If they can make the step up as quickly as Harold did, it would be great," Ackermann said of the 21-year-old centre, who is already being spoken of as a future Springbok.

"He [Vorster] grabbed his opportunity this year and we are proud of his development."

Ackermann said words can't explain how proud he is of his team's effort this year – coming within a few inches of two wins over the Stormers – South Africa's conference winners.

Apart from this past week's draw at Newlands, where the Lions were charging hard towards the Stormers line, searching for a bonus-point try that could keep them in the play-off race for a week longer, they also lost by just three points (19-22) to the Stormers in Johannesburg back in February. On that occasion centre Howard Mnisi lost the ball over the line in the dying minutes, which could easily have been a match-winning score.

"Whenever we asked for something, most of the time they delivered," Ackermann said of his team, adding that the graphic is on an upward curve.

"Newlands is a tough place to come to and it was close."

Captain Warren Whiteley also spoke of how "proud" he was of his charges, adding that it was tough and physical game.

"It was a great spectacle by both teams and a great game to be part of," Whiteley said, adding: "I really feel we are improving as a squad and have showed great maturity throughout the year."

The Lions will have a three-week break and then start preparations for the Currie Cup season – which gets underway in August.

While Ackermann may lose a few players to the World Cup – with Whiteley, Jantjies and Lionel Mapoe members of the Bok training squad.

Schalk van der Merwe is obviously heading to France, while Jantjies is going back to Japan if he is not involved in the World Cup.

However, the majority of the current squad will remain the Lions will be able to take some of their Super Rugby momentum into the Currie Cup.

"There will be changes to the team and it will be different teams we will play, but if this is the level we can play at, then we'll be positive going into the Currie Cup."

By Jan de Koning

@King365ed

@rugby365com