There will be comings and goings at Lions
FOR the first time in four years the Lions players and coaching team will watch the Super Rugby playoffs on television. After featuring in the knockout rounds from 2016 to 2018, they missed out this year.
What does the future hold for the Lions?
Several issues are being dealt with at the franchise at Ellis Park. A review of the last campaign, which saw the Lions beat a local team only once in six matches and end the competition with only eight wins, will be discussed between the coaching team and the executive, including chief executive Rudolf Straeuli.
Matters like head coach Swys de Bruin’s alleged stress condition and defence coach Joey Mongalo’s legal battles in Australia, will feature prominently.
The good news is De Bruin has signed on to lead the Super Rugby team for two more campaigns – in 2020 and 2021 – so there will be some much-needed stability in the coaching ranks. What will become of Mongalo though is uncertain; he has appealed his conviction and sentence for indecent assault, stemming from an incident during last year’s Lions tour.
With regards the players, Malcolm Marx is set to play club rugby in Japan during next year’s Super Rugby campaign, so the Lions will be desperate to find a suitable replacement at hooker. Robbie Coetzee is an experienced operator, but has battled with injuries and form in the last two years, while Jan-Henning Campher is still young, but full of promise. The Lions may have to look at hookers at other franchises.
The future of flyhalf Elton Jantjies,
pictured, is uncertain following his recent disciplinary troubles and he is understood to be in negotiations with Straeuli about a new deal to keep him at the Lions. News on his staying or going is expected any day now.
What the future holds for Carlu Sadie, the rock at tighthead over the past season, is unknown as he was loaned from the Stormers this season, while lock Stephan Lewies, who was also on loan from the Sharks, is set to further his career in England. The Lions will be desperate to make Sadie’s move permanent, but the Stormers may have something to say about that, while finding an experienced lock partner to join Marvin Orie next year will be a priority.
There has also been talk of Kwagga Smith – arguably the Lions’ best player this season – going back to Sevens, which would be a huge blow to the Lions, while no one quite knows how badly injured Warren Whiteley is, and how many Super Rugby campaigns he has left in him.