Lions clinch URC SA Shield: Is this the turning point for the Pride?

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There was a pop of fireworks that illuminated the Johannesburg city bowl on Saturday night; and if you had a good understanding of the geography of Joburg, one could surmise that the light show had been set off above Ellis Park.

Regardless of whether it was indeed the Lions or a serendipitous consequence, who set them off, there would certainly have been a celebratory mood in Doornfontein. The Bulls had just pummelled the Sharks 41-12, and coupled with a gritty Lions 24-10 victory over the Stormers a few hours earlier, the Joburg-based outfit had just been confirmed as the United Rugby Championship (URC) SA Shield winners.

It has been eight years since the Lions have held silverware aloft.

Back in 2018, the Lions won the SA conference of Super Rugby – for a third consecutive time – on their way to a third consecutive grand final. Current Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin was at the helm of the team during those heady days and, along with Johan Ackermann previously, had set the template for the current Lions’ DNA — one based on an attacking brand of rugby.

Under current head coach Ivan van Rooyen, the Lions have not always been able to execute that gameplan to success but have remained for the most part loyal to the vision.

In recent year, the Lions have seemingly built a healthy team culture, despite constantly being raided by other South African franchises for their star players.

Moreover, they have done so without what many would argue are the superstars of SA rugby. Nevertheless, there is undeniable unity within the team, despite several disruptions and controversies that have rocked the team since the end of Covid pandemic.

They have built an impressive academy pipeline, and their faith in trusting youngsters continues to unearth and blood new players. They certainly have a handful of players that deserve more credit and possess a healthy dose of X-factor that could do the Springboks only good. Their clutch of Boks, meanwhile, have brought hunger and innovation to the squad.

The Lions were deserved SA Shield champions this season: they beat the Bulls at Loftus and did the double over the Sharks. They narrowly lost to the Stormers in Cape Town, but this past weekend engineered a measure of revenge by dispatching the Capetonians. The only major blip on their Shield triumph was a shocking blowout against the Bulls at Ellis Park, which left the team discombobulated and seeking some serious introspection.

Winning the Shield, although arguably not the most prestigious championship in the season, will justify the faith installed in this group of coaches and players, and should galvanise a push for a Top 8 finish in the URC.

The Lions have, previously, come perilously close to qualifying for the play-offs of the tournament. In the last four campaigns, they have finished 12th, ninth twice and 11th, and always within 10 points of the all-important eighth place. In 2023/24, they were only denied a quarter-final and Champions Cup berth due to games won, finishing on the same points as Connacht.

In those seasons, the Lions’ biggest failing was a degree of inconsistency, especially during this window of games, and an inability to beat their South African counterparts. They have now managed to tick off one major shortcoming.

Currently seventh in the URC standings on 33 points – six points behind fourth-placed Munster and four points clear of ninth-placed Ospreys – Van Rooyen and Co have a real opportunity to rid themselves of that inconsistency tag, too.

They have six matches remaining — four of them at home on the trot — and if they win those, they will most likely make the Top 8 for the first time. Edinburgh, the Dragons, the table-topping Glasgow Warriors and Connacht are all at Ellis Park, while they will finish their regular season off against Leinster and Munster away.

Buoyed by their Shield victory, however, more good tidings could finally be on the horizon for the Pride.

* Morgan Bolton is the national sports editor for Independent Media and chief content editor for our YouTube channel The Clutch