The Lions will be targeting a first appearance in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship playoffs.
Vincent Tshituka and Wandisile Simelane headlined a group of off-season departures, but the Lions rallied to improve on their 12th-place finish in the inaugural URC to narrowly miss out on the 2022-23 playoffs.
Mixing up-and-coming youngsters, such as Quan Horn, with the experience of veteran centre Marius Louw, the men from Johannesburg produced scintillating rugby at times but lacked the consistency to sustain it throughout the season.
The retirement of skipper Jaco Kriel in April, and the departure of key playmakers once again leaves the Lions looking vulnerable. However, they are optimistic that the 2023-24 intake of new players will inject energy into the squad and boost the Lions into the knockout stage for the first time.
FACT FILE
Coach: Ivan van Rooyen
Captain: Marius Louw
2022-23 Log finish: 9th
KEY PLAYER
A Sanele Nohamba revival was a highlight of the Lions’ 2022-23 campaign, the former Sharks scrumhalf showcasing the kind of form that made him a fan favourite at Kings Park in 2019. The former Junior Springbok is an excellent goal-kicker, boasting an 82% strike rate from the tee, and offers great value on attack – capable of producing a moment of magic when the situation calls for it.
PLAYERS IN
Erich Cronjé (Zebre)
Zander du Plessis (Griquas)
Richard Kriel (Zebre)
Conraad van Vuuren (Cheetahs)
Kade Wolhuter (Stormers, loan)
PLAYERS OUT
Pieter Jansen van Vuren (Biarritz)
Jaco Kriel (retired)
Sti Sithole (Stormers)
Michael van Vuuren (Newcastle)
André Warner (Agen)
FAST FACT
The Lions’ defence was porous last season, tackling at a league-low 75% and missing almost 400 tackles at a rate of more than 20 per match.
URC FIXTURES
21 October vs Stormers (h)
28 October vs Edinburgh (a)
5 November vs Benetton (a)
11 November vs Scarlets (a)
17 November vs Ulster (a)
25 November vs Zebre (h)
2 December vs Dragons (h)
23 December vs Sharks (a)
30 December vs Bulls (a)
17 February vs Bulls (h)
2 March vs Sharks (h)
23 March vs Connacht (a)
30 March vs Ospreys (a)
20 April vs Leinster (h)
27 April vs Munster (h)
11 May vs Cardiff (h)
18 May vs Glasgow (h)
1 June vs Stormers (a)
– This article first appeared in the October issue of SA Rugby magazine. The November issue goes on sale this Friday.