Lions’ Kev plans ‘something different’ by luring top teams to Joburg

COULD the Lions’ axing from Super Rugby perhaps turn out to be a blessing in disguise?

With South African rugby fans perhaps getting a little tired of seeing the same teams hammering away at each other at the same venues year-in and year-out, a new-look competition, with different teams could perhaps be the future of intercontinental rugby competitions ... and the Lions are seemingly paving the way forward.

Stripped of their Super Rugby status for next year, which will see the Southern Kings join the Bulls, Cheetahs, Sharks and Stormers in Super Rugby, the Lions were forced to find new, equally competitive opponents to play against to prepare them for the promotion-relegation match which will determine South Africa’s five teams in Super Rugby in 2014.

The Lions will play the worst-performing local side after Super Rugby next year.

Yesterday, Lions president Kevin de Klerk hinted that should his union manage to arrange big clashes against some of the best teams from Europe, the US and the South Sea Islands, the Lions may well have to consider where they play their rugby in future.

Perhaps Super Rugby won’t even be a consideration?

“We’re well down the road in discussions with teams from Europe, America and the islands. The bulk of these matches will be played in Joburg, perhaps even more than we would have hosted in Super Rugby, but there will also be a chance for the Lions to play away from home, go on tour, to places they haven’t been before,” said De Klerk.

“Maybe this ‘competition’ suits us better. From talking to people around town they’ve said to me ‘give us something different’. Perhaps this will be it. It might be appetising for all ... let’s see how it pans out.”

Interim Johan Ackermann added he and the players were excited about the future.

“What an opportunity for the players. Missing a few months of Super Rugby is not the end of the world ... and a different competition may open new doors for the players.”

De Klerk said the union were hard at work trying to finalise a competition or opponents for the Lions next year and that they would perhaps be able to make an announcement in the next week or two.

Meanwhile, De Klerk said it was unfortunate to lose a player of Joshua Strauss’ calibre – he will be joining Glasgow Warriors in Scotland soon – but they would do their best to keep as many of their contracted players in Joburg.