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CONTENTS president’s message
05
XEROX message
07
only the second home final against wp
10
XEROX GOLDEN LIONS PLAYER pictures
17
XEROX GOLDEN LIONS VS dhl WP - 13H45
20
dhl western province PLAYER pictures
23
Absa U19 competititon curtain raiser
27
Absa U21 competititon Curtain raiser
29
FULL Golden Lions SQUAD LISTS
31
season’s results
32
PUBLISHER: Wim van der Berg • EDITOR: Annemie Bester • GRAPHIC DESIGN: Apple Undo • ADVERTISING: Annemie Bester GLRU MEDIA LIASON: Annemie Bester • 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 to the absa currie cup final After a stellar 2015 season and a near perfect scorecard, we are here: The final of the Absa Currie Cup for 2015. Great players have done it before us, but today it is the time for Johan Ackermann, Swys de Bruin and captain Jaco Kriel to walk down that path of playing in the final of the greatest local rugby competition in the country. This will be our 22nd final since 1922 and should we bring home the coveted Cup, it will proudly display in our cabinet for the eleventh time. This union has a proud history and we have gone through immense highs and difficult lows. But through it all we stayed true to the Red and White and the Pride. We want to welcome all SA Rugby dignitaries here today and we hope we can put on an exceptional Currie Cup final. Welcome to all dignitaries here present today. To all presidents whose teams are in action in the finals Western Province, Free State, EP and the Blue Bulls enjoy the day with us and good luck to all teams. The main sponsor, Absa, welcome to Emirates Airline Park and of course the Xerox Golden Lions sponsor, Xerox - thank you for making everything possible. Most importantly to all our loyal sponsors that have made this moment possible, we salute you and thank you for your support. Without you and our supporters this game will not be the grand spectacle that we will witness here today. Enjoy the day with us here at Emirates Airline Park and thank you for being a part of our history. Kevin de Klerk President: Golden Lions Rugby Union
www.lionsrugby.co.za 5
video
xerox message
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO OF BYTES DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS I am extremely proud of the Xerox Golden Lions for reaching the Currie Cup Final after 11 straight wins in this year’s competition. Last week’s semi-final match against the Free State Cheetahs was one of the more difficult games of the season. The Cheetahs certainly came prepared for a catfight! But as we know the Lions proved mightier than the Cheetahs and the Xerox Golden Lions emerged victorious with a 43-33 win. It has been an amazing season for the Xerox Golden Lions who have celebrated so many remarkable wins. Their team spirit, courage, integrity and determination have been an inspiration, giving us some of the best rugby games seen this year. These qualities have brought the fans back in numbers and reignited their passion and pride in the team. We thank all the fans for their belief in the team in the build-up to this final. The team has done a superb job in defending their den. You were there throughout the season, cheering them on and giving them the much needed encouragement to keep them focused on their goals. I am very optimistic about the Xerox Lions prospects for the final. They have proved to be an indomitable team – they have an exciting game plan, they support each other, and their work ethic and respect for each other are admirable. To our admired and respected friend Johan Ackermann: We know that you are under immense pressure to deliver an amazing performance today and have every confidence that you will lead the boys to victory. You have made your mark this season and built up this exciting anticipation for the final. Let’s bring the Cup back home! Please join in me in wishing the Xerox Lions the very best for this game and for a wonderful end to an amazing performance this season. When the Western Province team runs out onto the field this Saturday, let’s let them know that they have arrived in the lion’s den, and that the Lions fans are strong and passionate and are behind them all the way. It has been a privilege to be associated with the Xerox Golden Lions and we look forward to a rich and rewarding relationship in 2016. GO Lions GO! Johan Basson CEO of Bytes Document Solutions www.lionsrugby.co.za 7
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First Transvaal Currie Cup winners – 1922
193910Currie Cup champions, beating Western Province in the first-ever Currie Cup final www.lionsrugby.co.za
d n o c e s e h t y l On
home final P W t s n i aga By: Piet Ebersohn When the Xerox Golden Lions and Western Province, two of the oldest rugby unions in South Africa, run onto the field at Emirates Airline Park today it will indeed be a rare occasion. It will be only the sixth time that these two teams meet in the final of South Africa’s premier rugby competition which has been contested for more than a century. The Golden Lions’ headquarters only accommodated a Currie Cup final between the two unions once before – 65 years ago in 1950 when Transvaal (forerunner of the Golden Lions) won 22-11. They also won the very first Currie Cup final, which was played at Newlands in 1939, 17-6. Province won three, the most recent one last year when they beat the Golden Lions 19-16 in a close contest at Newlands. The other two WP victories were 16-12 in 1947 and 22-9 in 1986, also at Newlands. Altogether Western Province have contested 25 Currie Cup finals through the years. They won 12, lost 11 and two were drawn.
Transvaal/Golden Lions played 20 finals, winning eight, losing 11 with one drawn. • Transvaal made Currie Cup history by winning the very first final 17-6 in 1939. It was also the biggest margin (11 points) by which Transvaal ever won a Currie Cup final against WP, repeating it in 1950 with a 22-11 win. The Transvaal team against Western Province at Newlands in 1939 was led by Fanie Louw, the experienced Springbok prop. Fred Turner, who had also represented Transvaal, captained Western Province. And quite interesting, the referee was Transvaal captain Louw’s brother Boy, who had still played test rugby as the other prop, with Fanie, against the British Lions the year before! It was the 50th anniversary of the South African Rugby Football Board, and the final did full justice to the proud history of the SARFB and South African rugby. It was also Province’s only defeat in a final at Newlands until the Sharks beat them 33-19 in 2013. The final score in the 1939 final flattered Province. Flyhalf Tony Harris – who was captured www.lionsrugby.co.za 11
during the Second World War but had returned to also play test cricket for South Africa in 194748 – was the general of the Transvaal side. Louw, the legendary hooker Jan Lotz, then at the top of his powers, and strongman Chris Scrooby scrummed the home side into the ground and laid the foundation for victory. Harris dictated the match behind the strong pack. Transvaal led 14-6 at the break, after a try in the first five minutes by Floors Duvenage. Fred Turner then kicked a penalty for Province, and GJ Roos put the visitors up at 6-3. Centre Piet de Wet then scored a try for Western Province to level the score at 6-all. Then Harris, one of the stars of the 1937 tour to Austral;ia and New Zealand, showed his brilliance as he sent the great winger Otto van Niekerk over the try-line. Van Niekerk repeated his effort, which was
this time converted, and Fatty Pretorius, who had played in all eleven matches that season including the friendlies, scored a deserved try to make it 17-6. That was the last Currie Cup decided before the War. • Transvaal and WP met again in the final in 1947 and WP this time made amends for the loss in 1939. The sides went into halftime tied at 9-all, but after a strong second half Province came out on top, 16-12. Okey Geffin, the Transvaal prop who kicked the Springboks to victory against the 1949 All Blacks, played in the 1947 final, as did Raymond Bosch, the father of the later Transvaal and Springbok kicking hero Gerald Bosch. Stephen Fry, to become Springbok captain against the British Lions of 1955, scored a penalty early on for WP, as did Geffin for the Red
Winners of the Currie Cup in 1993 under captain Francois Pienaar
and White (3-3). Otto van Niekerk, now playing for Province, scored in the corner for WP (6-3) before Transvaal drew level again with a penalty kick by Syd van Wezel (6-6). Fry’s brother Dennis then scored a try to put Province ahead again, but Transvaal’s Jan Lotz once again evened the scores with a try (9-9). WP stretched the score to 16-9 with a dropped goal by Dirkie de Villiers (in those days it was worth four points) and a try by Tjol Lategan. Fraser Carey scored Transvaal’s final try after Bosch cut infield to catch the defence on the wrong foot. • In 1950 the Johannesburg side won 22-11, this time at Ellis Park. First, Dennis Fry broke and after a brilliant run, sent Jan Visser over for a try converted by Robert Boyes. Johnny Buchler replied with a dropkick from 45 metres out, but WP were next on the board as Ocshe beat the Simmer Express, Jimmy Kotzé. With Geffin kicking two penalties for the home side, Transvaal was 9-8 ahead at the break. Then Hennie Muller put his side further ahead with a true captain’s try, 12-8, before Ochse scored his second to keep Province within a point at 12-11. Transvaal centre Des Sinclair exhibited the class that made him a Springbok for the 1951/52 tour to the UK. First, he scored a try himself, which was converted, and then he picked up a loose ball to send Fancy van Staden over. With Geffin again converting, Transvaal had won their first title in front of their home crowd. • The final of 1986 was without a doubt the most dramatic final between these two teams. Hugo van As scored a try to put Transvaal in an early lead. At the break they were 9-7 ahead and
with five minutes to the final whistle, Province, who added a penalty goal in the second half, was only 10-9 in front. WP wing Goggie van Heerden was the man who broke the Transvaal hearts when he scored two brilliant tries in the 39th minute of the second half and in the 3rd minute of injury time. Clarke Ellis (penalty goal and two conversions), Faffa Knoetze (try) and Chris Smith (penalty goal) scored the rest of WP’s points, while Liaan Kirkham added a penalty goal and converted Van As’s try for Transvaal. The 12-point victory represents Province’s largest margin. • The Golden Lions, in another dramatic turn, lost last year’s final in Cape Town when fly-half Marnitz Boshoff missed a last minute penalty that could have sent the match into extra time. As it stands, WP won 19-16, in what must have been one of the most riveting Currie Cup finals between the two sides. Demetri Catrakilis put the hosts ahead 3-0 with a penalty within three minutes of the kick-off, and stretched the lead to 6-0 with another penalty six minutes later. Boshoff, who kicked exceptionally well during the season, missed two penalties and WP went ahead 13-0 when Jaco Taute scored a try that Catrakilis converted five minutes before the break. The Lions first score came in the 44th minute when Boshoff eventually landed a penalty goal. Jaco van der Walt scored a try for the Lions. Boshoff converted it and kicked another penalty to level scores in the 57th minute. Catrakilis added two more penalties (19-13) before Ruan Combrinck succeeded with a 50-metre penalty kick to make the final score 19-16 in favour of WP.
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player pictures • XEROX golden LIONS Vs DHL WESTERN PROVINCE
FABIAN BOOYSEN
Marnitz Boshoff
Andries Coetzee
Robbie Coetzee
Ross Cronje
Steph de Witt
Ruan Dreyer
Lourens Erasmus
Stokkies Hanekom
Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Jaco Kriel (c) www.lionsrugby.co.za 17
18 www.lionsrugby.co.za
player pictures • XEROX golden LIONS Vs DHL WESTERN PROVINCE
Malcolm Marx
Sampie Mastriet
Howard Mnisi
Franco Mostert
Julian Redelinghuys
Courtnall Skosan
Kwagga Smith
Jacques van Rooyen
Jaco van der Walt
Anthony Volmink
Warren Whiteley www.lionsrugby.co.za 19
15 Andries Coetzee 14 Courtnall Skosan
11 Anthony Volmink
MATCH O Referee: Rast AR1: Stua AR2: Jaso TMO: Mari
13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg 12 Howard Mnisi 10 Marnitz Boshoff 9 Ross Cronje 6 Jaco Kriel (c)
8 Warren Whiteley
4 Lourens Erasmus 1 Jacques van Rooyen
7 Kwagga Smith
5 Franco Mostert
2 Robbie Coetzee
3 Julian Redelinghuys
Saturday, 24 October 2015
Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx • 17. Ruan Dreyer • 18. Fabian Booysen 19. Stephan de Witt • 20. Jaco van der Walt 21. Stokkies Hanekom • 22. Sampie Mastriet Head Coach: Johan Ackermann • Manager: Mustapha Boomgaard 20 www.lionsrugby.co.za
15 CHESLIN KOLBE
OFFICIALS ta Rasivhenge art Berry on Jaftha ius Jonker
14 DILLYN LEYDS
11 SEABELO SENATLA
13 JOHNNY KOTZE 12 JUAN DE JONGH (C) 10 ROBERT DU PREEZ 9 NICHOLAS GROOM 6 RYNHARDT ELSTADT 8 NIZAAM CARR 7 SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE
4 JEAN KLEYN 1 STEVEN KITSHOFF
2 BONGI MBONAMBI
5 RUAN BOTHA 3 WILCO LOUW
Kick-off: 13h45
Replacements: 16. Michael Willemse • 17. Oli Kebble • 18. Chris van Zyl 19. Jurie van Vuuren • 20. Jano Vermaak 21. Kurt Coleman • 22. Huw Jones Head Coach: John Dobson • Manager: Chippie Solomon www.lionsrugby.co.za 21
player pictures • XEROX golden LIONS Vs DHL WESTERN PROVINCE
RUAN Botha
NIZAAM CARR
KURT COLEMAN
ROBERT DU PREEZ
RYNHARDT ELSTADT
NICHOLAS Groom
HUW jOnes
oli KEBBLE
STEVEN KITSHOFF
JEAN KLEYN
CHESLIN KOLBE www.lionsrugby.co.za 23
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Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18. 24 www.lionsrugby.co.za
player pictures • XEROX golden LIONS Vs toyota free state cheetahs
JOHNNY KOTZE
DILLYN LEYDS
WILCO LOUW
BONGI MBONAMBI
SIKHUMBUZO NOTSHE
SEABELO SENATLA
JURIE VAN VUUREN
CHRIS VAN ZYL
JANO VERMAAK
MICHAEL WILLEMSE
JUAN DE JONGH (C) www.lionsrugby.co.za 25
26 www.lionsrugby.co.za
Absa U19 competititon
final
Vodacom Blue Bulls u19 KICK-OFF: 09H30
VS
EP KINGS U19 Vodacom Blue Bulls U19
EP Kings U19
15 Kurt Webster 14 Coneree Poole 13 JT Jackson 12 Franco Naude 11 Divan Rossouw 10 Tinus de Beer (C) 9 Stephan Enslin 8 Denzel Hill 7 JD Fourie 6 Arnold Gerber 5 Eli Snyman 4 Sam Mitchell 3 Jaco Holtzhausen 2 Alandre van Rooyen 1 Gavin van den Berg
15 Keanu Vers 14 Mabhutana Peter 13 Yamkela Nyalambisa 12 Jeremy Ward (C) 11 Athi Mayinje 10 Michael Brink 9 James Hall 8 Junior Pokomela 7 Hayden Tharratt 6 SF Nieuwoudt 5 Lusanda Badiyana 4 Robert Lyons 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen 2 Thango Balekile 1 Greg Jackson
Replacements 16 Junqgo Hennings 17 Madot Mabokela 18 Hendre Stassen 19 Luigy van Jaarsveld 20 Dale Hendricks 21 Ruan de Beer 22 Tshepiso Mahasha 23 Rohan Goosen
Replacements 16 Masikane Mazwi 17 Xandre Vos 18 Matthew Howes 19 Wihan Coetzer 20 Xholisa Matshoba 21 Sibusiso Ngcokovane 22 Garrick Mattheus 23 Dominik Uytenbogaardt
28 www.lionsrugby.co.za
Absa U21 competititon
final DHL WP u21
KICK-OFF: 11H15
VS
Toyota free state u21 DHL WP U21 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Grant Hermanus Khanyo Ngcukana EW Viljoen (C) Jarryd Sage Leolin Zas Brandon Thomson Justin Phillips Devon Nash Jacques Vermeulen Luke Stringer JD Schickerling David Ribbans Kyle Whyte Chad Solomon Wesley Adonis
Replacements 16 Paul Wipplinger 17 Liam Hendricks 18 Kobus van Dyk 19 Christo van Der Merwe 20 SP Ferreira 21 Jean-Luc Du Plessis 22 James Verity-Amm
Toyota Free State U21 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Henry Immelman Carel-Jan Coetzee Nico Lee Stephan Janse van Rensburg (C) Arrie Vosloo Andre Swarts Louis Venter Steven Meiring Jasper Wiese JC Fourie Justin Basson Boela Venter Gunther Janse van Vuuren Joseph Dweba Ox Nche
Replacements 16 Reinach Venter 17 Johan Kotze 18 Conraad van Vuuren 19 Ntokozo Vidima 20 Daniel Maartens 21 Lorenzo Gordon 22 Gerrie Labuschagne www.lionsrugby.co.za 29
30 www.lionsrugby.co.za
SQUADS • XEROX golden LIONS Vs dhl western province
Xerox Golden Lions squad Justin Ackerman • Fabian Booysen • Marnitz Boshoff • Andries Coetzee • Robbie Coetzee Ruan Combrinck • Ross Cronje • Stephan De Witt • Ruan Dreyer • Lourens Eramus Stokkies Hanekom • Alwyn Hollenbach • Lohan Jacobs • Jaco Kriel • Ruaan Lerm MB Lusaseni • Malcolm Marx • Sampie Mastriet • Derick Minnie • Howard Mnisi Franco Mostert • Martin Muller • Jacques Nel • Mark Pretorius • Julian Redelinghuys Mark Richards • Rick Schroeder • Courtnall Skosan • Kwagga Smith • Jaco Van der Walt Jacques Van Rooyen • Anthony Volmink • Harold Vorster • Vainon Willis
Xerox Golden 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
www.lionsrugby.co.za 31
ABSA CURRIE CUP Season’s Results AUGUST 2015 08
14:15
EP Kings vs Xerox Golden Lions - 14-51 (W)
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, PE
14
19:10
Xerox Golden Lions vs Steval Pumas 44 - 27 (W)
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
22
17:05
Cell C Sharks vs Xerox Golden Lions 16-31 (W)
Growthpoint KINGS PARK, Durban
28
19:10
Steval Pumas vs Xerox Golden Lions 11-41 (W)
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
September 2015 05
19:10
Xerox Golden Lions vs EP Kings 37-21 (W)
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
12
19:00
Vodacom Blue Bulls vs Xerox Golden Lions 28-36 (W)
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
19
14:30
Xerox Golden Lions vs Cell C Sharks 26-18 (W)
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
25
13:15
Toyota Free State vs Xerox Golden Lions 31-73 (W)
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
October 2015 02
18:00
Xerox Golden Lions vs DHL Western Province 62-32 (W)
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
10
14:00
Xerox Golden Lions vs ORC Griquas 29-19 (W)
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
17
13:45
Xerox Golden Lions vs Freestate Cheetahs 43-33 (W)
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
32 www.lionsrugby.co.za
www.lionsrugby.co.za 33
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