AFTER the Springboks’ historic Rugby World Cup title defence in France last year, the obvious expectation was that South African rugby standards will be elevated, with every player in the professional ranks pushing to be part of the set-up.
And rightfully so, the pool at Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ disposal is wide with a few debutants having come through in recent months to kick-start the preparations for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
No doubt that will have Erasmus and his technical team on cloud nine, but the happiest bunch would arguably be the powers that be at the Lions, as at least five of their players debuted for the world champions.
Ruan Venter, Morné van den Berg, Quan Horn, Edwill van der Merwe and Jordan Hendrikse – before he left for the Sharks – all made their international bows in recent Tests, and no doubt brought about a much desired change of fortunes for the Lions.
Now what makes this such a big deal for the Johannesburg union is that in the previous World Cup cycle, their name would get no mention as none of their players made the Bok squad.
Coming into the @URCOfficial_RSA season hot.🥵🔥#SAMA28 🦁 pic.twitter.com/MCVH3phmkX
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) September 26, 2024
On Wednesday, Lions No 8 Francke Horn spoke about the side carrying the Currie Cup momentum through to the United Rugby Championship, but it is their Bok debutants that he believes will get The Pride roaring even louder in tomorrow’s clash against Ulster at Ellis Park (12.55pm kick-off).
“We’ve definitely spoken about it (the impact of having teammates in the Springbok set-up). After a few long years, we had no Springboks in our camp – and suddenly we have about four to five guys playing there and coming back with that knowledge,” said Horn.
“We definitely spoke about it (in a sense) that if we as a team perform well, it will also bode well for individual players. They will get a better chance to express themselves, and (consequently) get called up and hopefully make their Test debuts.”
Besides losing the Currie Cup final last weekend 16-14 to the Sharks – in dramatic and sort of self-inflicted fashion, having decided to maul after the hooter when they could’ve kicked the ball for touch – and narrowly missing the URC play-offs, the Lions have actually had a good year.
For Our City. 2024/25 🧬#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/sTwSS2jJzO
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) September 26, 2024
That so rightfully talks to the group’s positive ambitions as they look ahead to kick-starting their URC campaign in similar fashion against Ulster tomorrow.
“We’re looking to take it forward (all the highs of 2024). The group has been together for at least three years now, so there is nice chemistry and a healthy competition (for positions),” said Horn.
“We have a healthy competition against one another, with the young guys coming through and pushing for a place in the starting line-up. Along the line. there will be injuries and that healthy competition will be vital. We’re just pushing each other to be better and play better rugby.
“Right now, the most important thing is to start well in front of our home crowd and carry that momentum.”