The Pride have spoken, choosing the Lions’ 2016 Super Rugby jersey as the best in franchise history.
Although the 1993 Transvaal jersey won a quarter of the vote, Lions supporters made sure victory was never in doubt for the 2016 jersey, taking the crown with 37% of the clicks.
Coached by Johan Ackermann and Swys de Bruin in 2016, the Lions’ breathless running game was some of the finest ever produced by a South African side.
They finished just one point behind the Hurricanes on the overall log, but the Lions were setting the competition alight with their expansive style of play, scoring 71 tries in just 15 group-stage matches, 10 more than the log leaders.
In the semi-final at Ellis Park, a high-scoring affair ended with the Lions 42-30 victors over the Highlanders to book a spot in the final against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
The occasion proved too great for the Lions, as the Hurricanes backed their defence and kicking game to demolish the tourists 20-3.
Photo: EPA/Ross Setford
