official match programme
EMIRATES LIONS
VS hIGHLANDERS
9 MAY 2015
2 www.lionsrugby.co.za
CONTENTS president’s message
05
vodacom message
09
andries coetzee
10
thank you to our supporters
12
EMIRATES LIONS PLAYER PROFILES
15
EMIRATES LIONS VS highlanders - 15H00
18
highlanders PLAYER PROFILES
21
red and white since 1960
24
CLUB RUGBY
27
HEAD TO HEAD STATISTICS
31
full squad lists
33
fixtures
34
OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME
EMIRATES LIONS
VS cell c sharks
11 APRIL 2015
OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME
EMIRATES LIONS
VS toyota cheetahs 25 APRIL 2015
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PUBLISHERS: RUGBY VARIA • EDITOR: Tarryn Steenekamp • GRAPHIC DESIGN: Apple Undo • ADVERTISING: Tarryn Steenekamp GLRU MEDIA LIASON: Tarryn Steenekamp • PHOTOGRAPHY: Deon van der Merwe - www.deonvandermerwe.co.za
www.lionsrugby.co.za
Cell: 083 604 0389 • wimvdb@iafrica.com
Copyright © 2015 Rugby Varia. The opinions expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of Rugby Varia or the Golden Lions Rugby Union.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcome back to Emirates Airline Park for our clash against the Highlanders! On behalf of the Golden Lions Rugby Union, I wish to warmly welcome everyone back to our historical ground here this afternoon. After our display of great running rugby which we produced at Loftus Versfeld against the Bulls last weekend, we are excited to continue where we left off! We all join in in welcoming our coach Johan Ackermann and his staff contingent, together with his medical staff here today. We also welcome our courageous captain Warren Whiteley and his team of amazing players back to our home ground for another exciting match. A special word of welcome to the management, coaching staff and players of the Highlanders who we are hosting all the way from New Zealand. We trust that your stay will be an enjoyable one! We have come to respect the quality of disciplined and attractive rugby that the Highlanders play and we trust that this encounter will produce the spectacle that everyone is anticipating. Lastly but certainly not least, thank you to our sponsors without whom none of this would be possible: Emirates, Xerox, 947, Canterbury, Huawei, Jonsson, Sun International, USN, Tsogo Sun and Vox. Please help us to keep the Emirates Lions profile where it belongs and help us to stamp out all forms of abuse and racism. Remember it’s not black or white but Red and White! We are also STRONGLY opposed to booing in our stadium and want to encourage supporters to keep all forms of the game clean and show respect for the opposition. ENJOY THE GAME! Kevin de Klerk GLRU PRESIDENT www.lionsrugby.co.za 5
DDB SA 40719/E
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IRELAND/DAVENPORT 77740
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Join the FanUp revolution and score Loyal Vodacom Super Rugby supporters will be rewarded with awesome prizes when they join the FanUp revolution. While South Africa’s best mobile network will help fans to get over the advantage line, it is up to them to convert it into prizes. Vodacom will award loyalty, passion and unwavering support with hundreds of Samsung phones up for grabs, more than 8000 tickets to be given away, and unique behind the scenes stadium tours. Bringing supporters closer to the game, they can get onto the playing field with the Vodacom Halftime Fan Challenge obstacle courses or bid for a place on the behind-the-scenes stadium tours. The halftime challenge winning teams win two Samsung Galaxy A3 devices with the runners up receiving a Vodacom hamper. If you are more of an armchair expert you can be on the winning side from the comfort of your couch. The Toks ’n Tjops TV show on KykNet hosts weekly competitions where fans stand a chance to win a Samsung smartphone. Toks ‘n Tjops will also be hosting a competition for the biggest fans to win an exclusive stadium tour with rugby legends at each of the five stadiums – only with Vodacom. With the Vodacom Rugby App fans are only a swipe and a touch away from bagging awesome prizes. All registered SuperBru users in South Africa playing the Vodacom Super Rugby game on the App stand a chance to win a Samsung smartphone each week. The Predict-a-Stat feature on the App allows fans to win one of two Samsung smartphones each week throughout the season. To add to the prize giveaway frenzy, fans can walk away as winners on the Vodacom.co.za/rugby portal and on Twitter by following @vodacomrugga FanUp – ManUp and score with Vodacom! Bronson Tebogo Mokabela Executive Head: Sponsorship & Regional Marketing www.lionsrugby.co.za 9
Andries Coetzee
COOL, CALM AND CONSISTENT By: Tarryn Steenekamp One of Johannesburg’s most consistent payers this season, Andries ‘Boeboes’ Coetzee has played in all twelve Vodacom Super Rugby matches for the Emirates Lions this season 10 www.lionsrugby.co.za
and has made a big impact as one of the dependable faces in the team’s backline thus far. The 25-year-old utility back is proud to be a part of an Emirates Lions side which has made history in more ways than one this season;
winning three out of four matches on tour and holding a five-match unbeaten streak in the competition. He knows it is important to stay focused, however, and while rugby pundits are talking about a top six finish for the Emirates Lions, Coetzee believes it is important to focus on smaller goals and stay humble. “The last couple of wins have been great and yes, we put ourselves in a fighting chance to make the play-offs but we as a team know we haven’t achieved anything just yet, so the hard work must continue,” explains Coetzee. “In order to make the play-offs it is crucial to win home games but we are honestly taking it gameby-game and we are not thinking too far ahead . “That is the thing about this tournament – it can shock you at any point and it is so competitive with us measuring ourselves against the top players in the world. We need to stay focused. “While it is so great to have all the new support, I personally stay focused by reminding myself of where we came from and I keep on fighting to ensure we do not go back down that road!” While the Emirates Lions went down narrowly to the Vodacom Bulls last weekend, the team put in a strong fight and were able to take several positives out of the match, according to Coetzee. “Last weekend’s loss was tough to swallow but I think the biggest thing that we as a team took out of the game was that we must stick to our defensive structure and follow it through throughout the match,” he says. “We are constantly trying to improve in all aspects of the game. I believe our attack was good against the Bulls but we needed to work on our defence and take our game up a notch.” Looking ahead to the encounter with the Highlanders today, Coetzee feels it is important to give all New Zealand sides the respect they
deserve as physical and skilful entities. He also believes the Highlanders will bring something special to the match as they look to retain a spot in the top six of the competition. “The Highlanders are a quality side and will come out firing. We will need to stick to our structures and follow through with our personal jobs on the field. It is also critical to minimise our mistakes,” Coetzee shares. “New Zealand teams are always tough. They can speed up play and are highly skilled. Their ability to take opportunities and counter opposition mistakes is probably their best attribute and we will need to be careful of that today.” Emirates Airline Park has played host to some large crowds this season and the support for the Emirates Lions is ever-growing across South Africa. Coetzee is thrilled to see this growth in support and shares his sentiments on the match day support the team has received. “It is always awesome to see big crowds at our games,” he says. “It inspires you to play for something much bigger than you always think rugby is. The game is not just for yourself but for thousands of fans – for Jo’burg, for ex-players, for your teammates, for your family and especially for the Lions badge on your chest! “To all the fans, I would like to personally thank you for all the support you have shown not just this season but through the trials and tribulations! “We really do appreciate it and without your support it is so much more difficult to excel. Please come and watch our games so we can make the Lions truly the best team in the country again, together!”
@Boeboes15 www.lionsrugby.co.za 11
Thank you
for your proud support this season!
#lions4life
www.lionsrugby.co.za 13
14 www.lionsrugby.co.za
FULL PLAYER PROFILES • EMIRATES LIONS VS HIGHLANDERS
Born: 11/01/1989 Height: 1.79m Weight: 87kg SR Caps: 25
MARNITZ BOSHOFF
Born: 10/05/1990 Height: 1.83m Weight: 99kg SR Caps: 23
RUAN Combrinck
Born: 16/09/1990 Height: 1.84m Weight: 113kg SR Caps: 30
ruan dreyer
Born: 01/08/1990 Height: 1.76m Weight: 81kg SR Caps: 62
elton jantjies
Born: 01/03/1990 Height: 1.83m Weight: 90kg SR Caps: 27
andries COETZEE
Born: 26/07/1989 Height: 1.81m Weight: 85kg SR Caps: 33
ROSS CRONJE
Born: 29/03/1990 Height: 1.97m Weight: 118kg SR Caps: 20
ANDRIES FERREIRA
Born: 21/08/1989 Height: 1.84m Weight: 100kg SR Caps: 33
jaco kriel
Born: 02/05/1989 Height: 1.87m Weight: 108kg SR Caps: 23
Robbie COETZEE
Born: 19/10/1991 Height: 1.70m Weight: 80kg SR Caps: 27
FAF DE KLERK
Born: 14/06/1985 Height: 1.89m Weight: 105kg SR Caps: 24
alwyn hollenbach
Born: 28/04/1988 Height: 1.92m Weight: 103kg SR Caps: 18
ROBERT KRUGER www.lionsrugby.co.za 15
16 www.lionsrugby.co.za
FULL PLAYER PROFILES • EMIRATES LIONS VS HIGHLANDERS
Born: 25/03/1992 Height: 1.90m Weight: 102kg SR Caps: 1
Ruaan Lerm
Born: 11/09/1989 Height: 1.76m Weight: 114kg SR Caps: 25
JULIAN Redelinghuys
Born: 07/06/1991 Height: 1.79m Weight: 109kg SR Caps: 17
armand van der Merwe
Born: 13/07/1989 Height: 1.86m Weight: 98kg SR Caps: 13
howard mnisi
Born: 24/07/1991 Height: 1.83m Weight: 93kg SR Caps: 15
COURTNALL SKOSAN
Born: 04/12/1990 Height: 1.83m Weight: 116kg SR Caps: 20
schalk van der Merwe
Born: 11/10/1993 Height: 1.88m Weight: 101kg SR Caps: 10
harold Vorster
Born: 27/11/1990 Height: 1.98m Weight: 112kg SR Caps: 25
franco mostert
Born: 11/01/1987 Height: 1.89m Weight: 107kg SR Caps: 24
Warwick Tecklenburg
Born: 24/10/1986 Height: 1.86m Weight: 122kg SR Caps: 15
jacques van rooyen
Born: 18/09/1987 Height: 1.93m Weight: 105kg SR Caps: 47
warren Whiteley (c) www.lionsrugby.co.za 17
15 ANDRIES COETZEE
14 RUAN COMBRINCK
MATCH O Referee: Cra AR1: Marius van AR2: Rodney TMO: Joha
11 COURTNALL SKOSAN
13 HAROLD VORSTER
12 ALWYN HOLLENBACH
10 MARNITZ BOSHOFF
9 ROSS CRONJE
7 WARWICK TECKLENBURG
8 Warren Whiteley (C)
5 FRANCO MOSTERT
3 JULIAN REDELINGHUYS
6 JACO KRIEL
4 ANDRIES FERREIRA
2 ROBBIE COETZEE
1 SCHALK Van Der MERWE
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe 17 Jacques van Rooyen 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 Robert Kruger 20 Ruaan Lerm 21 Faf de Klerk 22 Elton Jantjies 23 Howard Mnisi Head Coach: Johan Ackermann • Manager: Mustapha Boomgaard 18 18www.lionsrugby.co.za www.lionsrugby.co.za
15 Ben Smith (c)
OFFICIALS aig Joubert n der Westhuizen y Boneparte an Greeff
14 Waisake Naholo
11 Patrick Osborne
13 Malakai Fekitoa
12 Richard Buckman
10 Lima Sopoaga
9 Aaron Smith
6 Gareth Evans
8 Nasi Manu (c)
4 Tom Franklin
1 Kane Hames
7 Dan Pryor
5 Mark Reddish
2 Liam Coltman
3 Josh Hohneck
Kick-off: 15h00
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon • 17 Brendon Edmonds 18 Ross Geldenhuys• 19 Elliot Dixon • 20 John Hardie 21Fumiaki Tanaka • 22 Marty Banks • 23 Jason Emery Head Coach: Jamie Joseph • Manager: Paul McLaughlan www.lionsrugby.co.za 19
20 www.lionsrugby.co.za
FULL PLAYER PROFILES • EMIRATES LIONS VS HIGHLANDERS
Born: 19/09/1989 Height: 1.92m Weight: 91kg SR Caps: 11
Marty Banks
Born: 01/09/1988 Height: 1.82m Weight: 102kg SR Caps: 15
Ash Dixon
Born: 21/09/1993 Height: 1.74m Weight: 88kg SR Caps: 24
Jason Emery
Born: 11/08/1990 Height: 2.00m Weight: 114kg SR Caps: 18
Tom Franklin
Born: 27/05/1989 Height: 1.84m Weight: 98kg SR Caps: 23
Richard Buckman
Born: 04/09/1989 Height: 1.95m Weight: 110kg SR Caps: 41
Elliot Dixon
Born: 05/08/1991 Height: 1.90m Weight: 105kg SR Caps: 16
Gareth Evans
Born: 19/04/1983 Height: 1.88m Weight: 120kg SR Caps: 23
Ross Geldenhuys
Born: 25/01/1990 Height: 1.85m Weight: 109kg SR Caps: 37
Liam Coltman
Born: 28/11/1990 Height:1.83m Weight: 112kg SR Caps: 10
Brendon Edmonds
Born: 10/05/1992 Height: 1.87m Weight: 99kg SR Caps: 26
Malakai Fekitoa
Born: 28/08/1988 Height: 1.79m Weight: 114kg SR Caps: 1
Kane Hames www.lionsrugby.co.za 21
JHB 48467
BREWED WITH PURE
SOUTH AFRICAN PASSION It all comes together with a CASTLE.
Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.
FULL PLAYER PROFILES • EMIRATES LIONS VS HIGHLANDERS
Born: 27/07/1988 Height: 1.83m Weight: 103kg SR Caps: 47
John Hardie
Born: 08/05/1991 Height: 1.86m Weight: 96kg SR Caps: 12
Waisake Naholo
Born: 03/03/1985 Height: 1.96m Weight: 112kg SR Caps: 39
Mark Reddish
Born: 06/02/1986 Height: 1.90m Weight: 118kg SR Caps: 28
Josh Hohneck
Born: 14/06/1987 Height: 1.89m Weight: 105kg SR Caps: 30
Patrick Osborne
Born: 21/11/1988 Height: 1.71m Weight: 83kg SR Caps: 70
Aaron Smith
Born: 03/02/1991 Height: 1.75m Weight: 91kg SR Caps: 40
Lima Sopoaga
Born: 15/08/1988 Height: 1.90m Weight: 112kg SR Caps: 76
Nasi Manu
Born: 14/04/1988 Height: 1.90m Weight: 103kg SR Caps: 10
Dan Pryor
Born: 01/06/1986 Height: 1.86m Weight: 85kg SR Caps: 97
Ben Smith
Born: 03/01/1985 Height: 1.66m Weight: 75kg SR Caps: 36
Fumiaki Tanaka www.lionsrugby.co.za 23
Red and White: Some of the
best since 1960 By: Piet Ebersohn Through the decades many great players donned the red and white colours of Transvaal and later the Lions and Golden Lions. More than 160 also wore South Africa’s Green and Gold. There were players who were already Springboks when they joined the union or franchise, and also those who became Springboks after they left. Boy Morkel, Felix du Plessis, Hennie Muller, Avril and Abie Malan, Dawie de Villiers, Jannie Breedt, Francois Pienaar, Rassie Erasmus, Rudolf Straeuli (midweek matches only) and André Vos led the Springboks. There were numerous who became legends although they never played for South Africa. Some of them became Junior Springboks (in those days South Africa’s best non-Springboks). Joe Nykamp, Pa Pelser (twice) and Gert van Tonder captained this team. Then there are the more recent heroes, including Derick Minnie, Anton van Zyl, Jaco Kriel, Warrick Tecklenburg, Doppies la Grange, Josh Strauss, Willie Wepener, Baywatch Grobbelaar, Ruan Combrinck, Franco Mostert, Ruan Dreyer, Jacques van Rooyen, Schalk van der Merwe, Akker van der Merwe, Robbie Coetzee. And let’s not forget about Michael Bondesio, Andries Viljoen, Howard Mnisi, Ross Cronje, Faf de Klerk...they, and others, too many to mention, helped to turn the floundering Lions ship into a reckoned power and opponent. Selecting the best, from different eras who played for Transvaal/Golden Lions/Lions sides of different strength, is an impossible task and really only a game to be further pursued by our readers where the gather around a braai or elsewhere. 24 www.lionsrugby.co.za
The list on the right includes Springboks and only some of those who, like many others, are among the best since 1960. The dates between brackets indicate when they played for Transvaal/ Lions/Golden Lions.
Your shortlist - Fullbacks: Mickey Gerber (Springbok), Piet Pretorius (Junior Springbok), Liaan Kirkham (1980-87), Jannie Tiedt (1981-86), Gavin Johnson (Springbok), Theo van Rensburg (Springbok), Dawie du Toit (1993-96), Conrad Jantjes (Springbok), Earl Rose (Springbok). Wings: Mike Antelme (Springbok), Hennie van Zyl (Springbok), Alan Wiggett (Junior Springbok), Syd Nomis (Springbok), Tommy Symons (Junior Springbok), Tobias du Toit (1967-71), Gert Muller (Springbok), Gerrie Germishuys (Springbok), Pierre Spies (1980-81), Ray Mordt (Springbok), Deon Coetzee (1981-89), Hempas Rademeyer (198292), Carel du Plessis (Springbok), Warren McCann (1988-92, Springbok sprinter), James Small (Springbok), Pieter Hendriks (Springbok), Chris Dirks (Springbok), Tinus Delport (2000, Springbok), Dean Hall (Springbok), Ashwin Willemse (Springbok, SA Player of the Year 2003), Bryan Habana (Springbok), Wylie Human (2005-07). Centres: Norman Bridger (Junior Springbok), Peter Swanson (Springbok), Bobby Grace (1968-74), Jan Flemix (1969), Peter Cronjé (Springbok), Corrie Claassen (1971-74), Joe Coetzer (1973-79), Dries Maritz (1977-89), Wim Hollander (197980), Swys Joubert (1982-84), Pieter de Haas (1988-90), Hennie le Roux (Springbok), Heinrich Fuls (Springbok), Japie Mulder (Springbok), André Homan (1993-96), Joe Gillingham (Springbok), Christiaan Scholtz (Springbok), Edrich Lubbe (Springbok), Mac Masina (Blitzbok), Grant Esterhuizen (Springbok), Gcobani Bobo (Springbok), Jorrie Muller (Springbok), Jaco Pretorius (Springbok and Blitzbokke captain), Jaque Fourie (Springbok), Jaco Taute (Springbok), Lionel Mapoe (Springbok, no matches). Flyhalves: Alan Menter (Springbok), Jannie Barnard (Springbok), Hugh Bladen (Junior Springbok), Gerald Bosch (Springbok, most career points for Transvaal: 896), Robbie Blair (Springbok), Schalk Naudé (Springbok bench), Lance Sherrell (Springbok), Jannie de Beer (Springbok), André Pretorius (Springbok), Louis Koen (Springbok), Butch James (Springbok), Marnitz Boshoff (Springbok) Elton Jantjies (Springbok). Scrumhalves: Mannetjie Gericke (Springbok), Birdie Horn (1963-69), Dirk de Vos (Springbok), Dawie de Villiers (Springbok captain), Paul Bayvel (Springbok), John Robbie, 1982-88, Ireland and British Lions), Johan Roux (Springbok), Ricky January (Springbok), Jano Vermaak (Springbok).
Looseforwards: Chick Henderson (1950-60, Scotland), Martin Pelser (Springbok), Lofty Nel (Springbok), Ian Grant (1959-64), Dawie Ackermann (Springbok), Fred Rossouw (Junior Springbok), Haan Smith (1964-69), Koos Claassen (Junior Springbok), Piet Greyling (Springbok captain), Anton Oberholzer (1969-75), Albie de Waal (Springbok), Klippies Kritzinger (Springbok), Corrie Pypers (Springbok bench), Pote Fourie (Junior Springbok captain), Wahl Bartman (1982-91, Springbok), Jannie Breedt (Springbok captain), Peter Winterbotton (1987-88, England), Francois Pienaar (Springbok captain), Deon Lotter (Springbok), Ian Macdonald Springbok), Frans Ludeke (1991-94), Rudolf Straeuli (Springbok), Walter Minnaar (19932001, Transvaal record, most games in a season: 35), Charles Rossouw (1994-96), André Vos (Springbok captain), Warren Brosnihan (Springbok), Russell Winter (1998-2004), Joe van Niekerk (Springbok), Wikus van Heerden (Springbok), Cobus Grobbelaar (2003-06), Ernst Joubert (2005-08), Willem Alberts, Warren Whiteley (Springbok). Locks: Gert van Tonder (Junior Springbok captain), Piet Botha (Springbok), Tiny Naudé (1959-60), Avril Malan (Springbok captain), Toy Dannhauser (1964-69), Sakkie de Klerk (Springbok), Kevin de Klerk (Springbok), Moaner van Heerden (Springbok), Andre Skinner (1985-1986), Barend Britz (1986-88), Kobus Wiese (Springbok), Hannes Strydom (Springbok), Phillip Schutte (Springbok), Bruce Thorne (1996-2000), Jannes Labuschagne (Springbok), Franco van der Merwe (Springbok). Hookers: Jaap Wessels (Junior Springbok), Abie Malan (Springbok captain), Ken Resnick (196373), Robbie Barnard (Springbok), Chris Rogers (Springbok), Harry Roberts (Springbok), James Dalton (Springbok), Uli Schmidt (Springbok), Chris Rossouw (Springbok), Owen Nkumane (Springbok), Delarey du Preez (Springbok), Bandise Maku.. Props: Fanie Kuhn (Springbok), Piet Bosman (1965-73), Martiens Louw (Springbok), Theo Sauermann (Springbok), Johan Strauss (Springbok), Dave Frederickson (Springbok), Richard Prentis (Springbok), Tito Lupini (1979-86, Italy), Ockie Oosthuizen (Springbok), Piet Kruger (Springbok), Johan le Roux (Springbok), Ian Hattingh (Springbok), Kapstok van Greunen (1991-2000), Balie Swart (Springbok), Willie Meyer (Springbok), Marius Hurter (Springbok), Heinke van der Merwe (Springbok), Pat Cilliers (Springbok), JC Janse van Rensburg (Springbok, no matches), Julius Redelinghuys (Springbok).
www.lionsrugby.co.za 25
A flicker of hope for SA club rugby
By: Piet Ebersohn All-round elation about the quality of club rugby played in the latest Varsity Cup and Community Cup competitions feeds a glimmering flame of hope that the demise of club rugby has at last been checked and may even have been turned around. Since the arrival of the professional dispensation for rugby unions, clubs find it difficult to make ends meet. Political changes also saw an end to institutional funding of university and forces or services clubs. The end result is a decrease in the number of clubs and players in metropolitan areas with the deterioration and even extinction of many famous clubs. Locally Wanderers and Wits have two great comeback stories to tell. After more than a decade in the second league Wanderers 27 www.lionsrugby.co.za
regained its senior status and went on to not only qualify for this year’s national Community Club Competition, but contest the quarterfinals. Wits was also floundering, but recovered and dominated the Varsity Shield Competition last year, just to go down to UKZN Impi in the final. Two of the most famous Golden Lions clubs, Diggers and Germiston Simmer, are currently playing second tier rugby. In its heyday Diggers dominated Transvaal rugby like no other club before or since, winning the Pirates Grand Challenge Competition 27 times and sharing the title twice between 1895 and 1978. Germiston Simmer and its forerunners, Germiston and Simmer & Jack, won it seven times between 1907 and 1976. The amalgamation or closure of clubs earlier also caused some downturn in club activity as older gold mines’ profitability declined. Pirates Grand Challenge winners ERPM, Simmer & Jack and New States Areas disappeared from the fixture
list. Roodepoort, who won the competition many times since the 1980s, became Rand Leases. More recently the adverse economics of the gold industry negatively affected rugby on the Northern Free State and North West (Western Transvaal) Gold Fields. The diminishing importance of the diamond industry has long been felt in Kimberley rugby. Witwatersrand Police (now Johannesburg Police) are playing in the lower leagues, since playing as Scorpions in combination with Wits Technikon for some time. The famous West Rand – five times Pirates champion – became Harlequins and no longer plays in the Pirates Grand Challenge Competition. Goudstad-onderwyskollege (GOK), like their northern counterpart Onderwyskollege Pretoria (best known as NKP) disappeared due to the amalgamation of the erstwhile teachers’ colleges with universities. Other well-known club names no longer heard are Randburg (who eventually combined with Diggers), Western Areas and Waterpan. Normal demographical changes also affected club rugby. As generations grew older the younger people moved to newer areas. It is also more expensive to run clubs, and numbers dwindle as players are not prepared to play merely for the love of the game but expect to get paid for playing – and are not prepared to pay registration fees. Modern recreational opportunities entice potential rugby players to other avenues, especially the socalled adventure sports and less physical past-times like TV and computer-related entertainment. The disappearance of leading clubs is not exclusive to the Golden Lions Rugby Union. In Blue Bull country powerhouse clubs Defence and Correctional Services are unheard of in the Carlton League today. Famous open clubs like Pretoria (one of the oldest and strongest clubs north of the Jukskei, first winners of the Pirates Grand Challenge in 1889 and the oldest in the capital), Oostelike (Uile) and Adelaar ceased to exist. In KwaZulu Natal rugby strongholds Durban High School Old Boys (DHSOB) and Glenwood Old Boys (GOB) were amalgamated and then absorbed by Varsity College. Wasps-Wanderers (Pietermaritzburg), Durban Police, Railway Police and Durban Wanderers sadly are no more.
In Bloemfontein once dominant Old Greys are struggling in the First League. Defence and Bloemfontein Collegians play in the Second League, while Schoemanpark and Oud-Studente closed down. In the Western Province “The Master” Boy Louw’s famous Paarl is not among the top 30 clubs, competing in the union’s Super League C. Strand (who as Strand-Somerset West produced many famous Springboks, including the prolific Morkel clan) and Noordelikes are also found at this level. The legendary Gardens amalgamated with Technikon and, like Peninisula Police and Van der Stel, is not among the top 45 clubs. They are contesting even lower leagues. Naval Gymnasium and Defence are only memories. The depopulation of the countryside wiped out many small-town clubs in the Free State and elsewhere. On the gain-side a country-union like Boland has 288 clubs and there are scores of new clubs in the Eastern Province and Border countryside. Even the GLRU boasts a number of younger clubs like Soweto, Alexandra, Jabulani, Kagiso, Midrand Swingers and Khosa. However, the majority of these new clubs countrywide are not yet contributors to the national rugby or even provincial muscle, largely due to a lack of finances. Probably the greatest challenge facing SA rugby is to find a system (and the monetary resources) to develop these clubs into making a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s rugby clout.
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30 www.lionsrugby.co.za
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Emirates Lions vs HIGHLANDERS
27
33
Log Points
66
71
Clean Breaks
1079 133
936
Carries
146
Handling Errors
176
151
Loose ball collected
14
7
Missed penalty goals
195
Kicks from Hand
4390m 11
230 4165m
Meters run
9
Lineouts Stolen Tries
18
108 77
Missed tackles
29
164
Penalties Conceded Turnovers Won
209
104 101
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FULL SQUAD LISTS • EMIRATES LIONS VS toyota cheetahs
emirates lions squad Marnitz Boshoff • Andries Coetzee • Robbie Coetzee • Ruan Combrinck • Ross Cronje Faf de Klerk • Steph de Wit • Ruan Dreyer • Andries Ferreira • Corné Fourie Stokkies Hanekom • Elton Jantjies • Jaco Kriel • Robert Kruger • Ruaan Lerm • MB Lusaseni Malcolm Marx • Lionel Mapoe • Sampie Mastriet • Derick Minnie Howard Mnisi • Franco Mostert • Martin Muller • Julian Redelinghuys • Mark Richards Courtnall Skosan • Warwick Tecklenburg • Armand van der Merwe • Schalk van der Merwe • Jaco van der Walt • Jacques van Rooyen • Anthony Volmink Harold Vorster • Warren Whiteley
emirates LIONS TEAM MANAGEMENT HEAD COACH: JOHAN ACKERMANN ASSISTANT COACH: SWYS DE BRUIN ASSISTANT COACH (Defence): JP Ferreira TEAM MANAGER: MUSTAPHA BOOMGAARD ASSISTANT TEAM MANAGER: JOHANE SINGWANE TEAM DOCTOR: DR ROB COLLINS • PHYSIOTHERAPIST: DAVID VAN WYK STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH: IVAN VAN ROOYEN TECHNICAL/PERFORMANCE ANALYST: JP FERREIRA
HIGHLANDERS SQUAD Aaron Smith • Alex Ainley • Ash Dixon • Ben Smith • Brendon Edmonds • Dan Pryor Dillan Halaholo • Elliot Dixon • Fumiaki Tanaka • Gareth Evans • Jason Emery John Hardie • Josh Hohneck • Kane Hames • Liam Coltman • Lima Sopoaga • Malakai Fekitoa Mark Reddish • Marty Banks • Nasi Manu • Patrick Osborne • Richard Buckman Ross Geldenhuys • Ryan Tongia • Shaun Treeby • Tom Franklin • Waisake Naholo
HIGHLANDERS TEAM MANAGEMENT Head Coach: Jamie Joseph Asst. Coaches: Tony Brown & Scott McLeod Scrum Coach: Clarke Dermody Team Manager: Paul McLaughlan Team Doctor: Dr Greg Macleod Physiotherapist: Adam Letts Strength & Conditioning Coach: Andrew Beardmore Performance Analyst: Andy Watts
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VODACOM SUPER RUGBY FIXTURES 13 February • 19:10
Emirates Lions vs Hurricanes - Emirates Airline Park
21 February • 19:10 28 February • 19:10
8-22 (L)
Cell C Sharks vs Emirates Lions - Growthpoint Kings Park 29-12 (L)
Emirates Lions vs DHL Stormers - Emirates Airline Park
07 March • 08:35
Blues vs Emirates Lions - North Harbour Stadium
14 March • 05:30 20 March • 10:40
Crusaders vs Emirates Lions - AMI Stadium
19 - 22 (L)
10 - 13 (W) 34 - 6 (L)
Melbourne Rebels vs Emirates Lions - AAMI Park 16 - 20 (W)
27 March • 11:00
Reds vs Emirates Lions - Suncorp Stadium
17 - 18 (W)
04 April • 17:05
Emirates Lions vs Vodacom Bulls - Emirates Airline Park 22-18 (W)
11 April • 17:05
Emirates Lions vs Cell C Sharks - Emirates Airline Park 23-21 (W)
25 April • 17:05
Emirates Lions vs Toyota Cheetahs - Emirates Airline Park 34-29 (W)
02 May • 19:10
Vodacom Bulls vs Emirates Lions - Loftus Versfeld 35-33 (L)
09 May • 15:00
Emirates Lions vs Highlanders - Emirates Airline Park
16 May • 17:05 23 May • 17:05
Toyota Cheetahs vs Emirates Lions - Free State Rugby Stadium
30 May • 19:10 06 June • 17:05
Quarter Final Quarter Final Semi Final Semi Final Final
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Emirates Lions vs Brumbies - Emirates Airline Park
Emirates Lions vs Waratahs - Emirates Airline Park
DHL Stormers vs Emirates Lions - Newlands Rugby Stadium
19 June TBC TBC TBC TBC 20 June TBC TBC TBC TBC 26 June TBC TBC TBC TBC 27 June TBC TBC TBC TBC 06 July TBC TBC TBC TBC
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