Three years ago the Lions were captained by prop JC Janse van Rensburg, who now plays for the Stormers, Deon van Rensburg was on the wing, and he’s now retired, as is Dylan des Fountain, who wore the No 12 jersey on his back.
The three players named above were part of the starting team that did duty for the Lions in the first of the two promotion/relegation matches against the Southern Kings following the 2013 Super Rugby season. Also in that side was scrumhalf Vian van der Watt, locks Franco van der Merwe and Hendrik Roodt and hooker Martin Bezuidenhout.
The only players picked by coach Johan Ackermann then who are first team regulars now are Ruan Combrinck, who played at fullback at that stage, flyhalf Elton Jantjies, following his disastrous spell at the Stormers, No 8 Warren Whiteley, flank Jaco Kriel and tighthead Julian Redelinghuys. On the bench were Robbie Coetzee, Ruan Dreyer, Warwick Tecklenburg and Marnitz Boshoff.
What this shows is that now, three years later, the Lions are very much a new-look and changed team.
And, believe this, the Lions - so often ridiculed and laughed at because of their poor showing in Super Rugby, never mind the fact they were relegated - could well be on their way to hosting a final. And, furthermore, if they get to that final at Ellis Park few would bet against them going all the way.
It is, as Sharks boss Gary Gold said after the teams’ meeting on Saturday, an astonishing story.
Let’s just look at some of the players for a moment. Combrinck wasn’t wanted in Sharks country, Courtnall Skosan wasn’t wanted at the Bulls, Lionel Mapoe got out of Durban as quickly as he could, Howard Mnisi was let go from Griquas and the Cheetahs and Faf de Klerk wasn’t wanted by the Bulls.
Up front, Whiteley couldn’t get a look-in at the Sharks, Tecklenburg was deemed surplus to requirements at the Bulls, as was Franco Mostert, while lock partner Andries Ferreira was let go by the Cheetahs and Bulls.
Redelinghuys was also not fancied by the Sharks.
On top of that assistant coach and the man credited with the Lions’ attacking style of play, Swys de Bruin, was also let go by the Sharks, while we shouldn’t forget the role played by current union CEO Rudolf Straeuli, who was previously employed as commercial manager at the Durban franchise.
He has done incredible work since joining the Lions, securing a number of sponsors and keeping several players on the union’s books despite unfavourable trading conditions locally.
If the Lions win their remaining two games and pick up a further 10 log points, which they can against teams like the Kings and Jaguares, they will finish the season with 12 wins from 15 games and 57 points - more than any other team can get. Already they’re guaranteed a home quarter-final (as winners of their conference), but these results would give them a home semi-final and final too, if they progress so far.
What the Lions have already achieved is quite stunning; but here’s hoping Ackermann and Co can go even further. I’m sure they have the whole country rooting for them, not only because of where they found themselves three years ago (in the doldrums), but because they’re a team that play exciting rugby, a brand and style everyone wants to watch and copy.
With the mighty Chiefs, Crusaders, Hurricanes and Highlanders doing the rounds, who would have thought the Lions would be the team to beat? But believe it ... for the Lions are now the outfit everyone else is chasing. Remarkable, just remarkable. - The Star