For the Lions to reach the Vodacom URC playoffs for the first time, they must convert flashes of promise into consistent performances across the season, writes MORNÉ ESBEN.
After a promising start to the 2024-25 campaign, the Lions’ season fizzled out into another disappointment.
The Joburg-based outfit opened strongly with four straight wins – including statement victories over the Stormers (30-23) and Sharks (38-14) at Ellis Park – suggesting they had shaken off their ‘whipping boys’ tag.
But inconsistency proved costly, as they managed just four wins from their final 13 matches.
The numbers underlined their struggles: the Lions ranked 13th for points scored (402) and 12th for tries (53).
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Still, there is excitement about the squad’s youthful talent. The arrival of Junior Springbok loose forward Batho Hlekani at the end of the year will add X factor to a group already reliant on the dynamism of centre Henco van Wyk and the counter-attacking threat of fullback Quan Horn.
KEY PLAYER
Quan Horn continues his steady rise, having cracked the initial Springbok squad earlier this year. Though the fullback was released before the Barbarians clash in Cape Town, that experience will fuel his drive in the URC. Horn’s pace, strength and ability to launch counter-attacks from deep make him central to the Lions’ ambitions.
PLAYERS IN
Angelo Davids (Stormers)
Batho Hlekani* (Sharks)
Eduan Keyter (Sharks)
Dylan Sjöblom (Griquas)
Chris Smith (Oyonnax)
*Contract starts 1 January
PLAYERS OUT
Marius Louw (Sale)
Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks)
FAST FACT
The Lions were South Africa’s most disciplined team last season, and second overall in the URC, conceding the second-fewest penalties behind Benetton.
URC FIXTURES
27 September: Cardiff (a)
5 October: Zebre (a)
11 October: Benetton (a)
18 October: Scarlets (h)
25 October: Ulster (h)
29 November: Bulls (a)
20 December: Stormers (a)
27 December: Sharks (h)
3 January: Sharks (a)
23 January: Ospreys (a)
31 January: Bulls (h)
28 February: Stormers (h)
21 March: Edinburgh (h)
28 March: Dragons (h)
18 April: Glasgow (h)
25 April: Connacht (h)
9 May: Leinster (a)
16 May: Munster (a)
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
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