Lions - (formerly Cats, Kings) - a brief rugby history
Colours: Jersey: Red & White Shorts: Black Socks: Black with Red & White stripes
Home Ground: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Chairman:
CEO: Rudolf Straeuli
Website: www.lionsrugby.co.za
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The Lions were formed in 1998. Until 2007 they were called the Cats. For the first two years of the Super 12/14 competition the franchise was represented by the Currie Cup team Gauteng Lions (Transvaal). The current franchise represents the South African Rugby Regions of Johannesburg, North West & Mpumalanga. In 2013 the Southern Kings won the right to play in the competition. They lost this right by local promotion/relegation to the Lions for 2014.
The 2019 head coach is Swys (Neil) de Bruin. The assistant coaches are Philip Lemmer & Joey Mongolo.
The 2019 squad is:
Forwards: Adriaanse Jacobie; Brink Cyle; Dayimani Haejivah; Erasmus Lourens; Herbst Rhyno; Jansen Pieter; Jonker Johannes; Kruger Robert; Lewies Stephan; Massyn Len; Marx Malcolm; Mienie Danie; Orie Marvin; Sadie Carlu; Schoeman Marnus; Sithole Sti; Smith Albertus (Kwagga); Smith Dylan; van Wyk Frans; Vermaak Ruan; Whiteley Warren (C).
Backs:Coetzee Andries; Combrinck Ruan; Cronje Ross; Dyanti Ahhiwe; Groom Nic; Jantjies Elton; Mahuza Sylvian; Mapoe Lionel; Reynolds Shaun; Similane Wandisile; Skosan Courtnall; Smit Dillon; Tambwe Madosh; Vorster Harold.
They play 8 Home games against: Bulls; Jaquares; Rebels; Sharks; Waratahs; Highlanders; Stormers; Hurricanes.
They play 8 Away games against: Jaquares; Stormers; Sunwolves; Brumbies; Chiefs; Crusaders; Sharks; Bulls.
The Lions finished in 2nd position at the end of the 2018 round-robin stages, losing the final to the Crusaders.
The Lions have finished in the top 6 of the round-robin stages of the Super competition six times out of 22 years.
In the play-offs they have featured in three finals in 2016, 2017 & 2018.
Their average finishing position is 9.55
They are 3rd= on the New Zealand TAB fixed odds to win the competition @ NZ$7.00