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The Lions will have an opportunity for redemption and re-entry into the Super Rugby fold when they meet the Kings in the first leg of the promotion and relegation match on Friday evening in Port Elizabeth.
The Lions were ousted last year due to a decision from the South African Rugby Union made in favour of the Kings, who had been promised entry into the Super rugby competition as far back as 2006.
The SARU made the decision at the beginning of last year that the last-placed team in the South African conference would be replaced by the Kings. This came at a very high cost to the Lions franchise as most of their sponsors walked away from the table.
The Problem for the Lions was that financial liabilities virtually crippled them, and their newly found partner, Guma TAC, who was going to acquire a 49.9% stake in the Lions, walked away.
Not that the Kings are any better off. Mismanagement of funds meant that the SARU had to bail them out in what I can only call an undisclosed amount, as the real situation from a financial standpoint has been hidden from public eyes.
How the SARU is going to solve the situation between the Lions and the Kings is pretty much anyone’s guess, and unless the Super Rugby is expanded to include both teams the solution currently on the table is to neither team’s benefit.
How does one acquire the necessary financial backing from sponsors if they aren’t guaranteed their brand will get its fifteen minutes of sunshine?
The reality is both franchises will not be able to move forward until surety about their future is guaranteed.
In the meantime we have the scenario where the two teams will be battling for supremacy over the next two weekends in a home and away, promotion and relegation fixture.
Both teams have announced their squads.
Lions:
15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Stokkies Hanekom, 12 Dylan des Fountain, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (c)
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Willie Britz , 19 Warwick Tecklenburg, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Marnitz Boshoff, 22 Chrysander Botha.
Elton Jantjies, Franco van der Merwe and Martin Bezuidenhout, who have been on loan to other Super Rugby franchises, are back and will all start for the Lions.
The Lions welcome back Hendrik Roodt, who has recovered from German measles. Michael Bondesio has recovered from his calf injury, while Warren Whiteley also returns.
Recent results for the Lions (albeit against second-string teams) are:
Lions 74 – Samoa 14
Lions 42 – Stormers 12
Lions 33 – Sharks 29
Lions 50 – Bull 12
Lions 26 – Griquas 12
Although it has to be said that the Lion have been playing some very exciting running rugby, the reality of facing a Kings team who have been toughened by their exploits in Super Rugby may be a far cry from the ‘easybeats’ the Lions have faced recently.
Southern Kings:
15 SP Marais, 14 Marcello Sampson, 13 Ronnie Cooke, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Hadleigh Parkes, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Jacques Engelbrecht, 7 Wimpie van der Walt, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Darron Nell (c), 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Bandise Maku, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements: 16 Charl du Plessis, 17 Hannes Franklin, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Devin Oosthuizen, 20 Nicolas Vergallo, 21 George Whitehead, 22 Waylon Murray.
Andries Strauss will be replaced by Shane Gates and he will be partnered Ronnie Cooke, SP Marais returns at fullback, while Demetri Catrakilis is back to orchestrate matters from flyhalf.
Hadleigh Parkes, used as a centre earlier in the season, comes in on the right wing, with Marcello Sampson playing on the left. Steven Sykes, the experienced former Sharks player, is on the bench might in what might be regarded as a minor surprise.
The Kings can be rightfully proud of their achievements this season, having won two and drawn one match against the Australian teams must have come as a surprise to many. They have also taken the scalp of the Highlanders in what, in my view, was their best performance of the season.
No matter which of these two teams triumph, a disservice is being done to both, one who will be out in the wilderness for yet another season with the other having to make do with limited stock and finances.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.