Restoring the pride
4 Jan 2010
The Lions are the fallen giants of South African rugby, but CEO Manie Reyneke tells SA Rugby magazine that they will rise again under Dick Muir.
A photo of the triumphant 1999 Currie Cup winners greets you upon entering the Golden Lions Rugby Union offices. Jannes Labuschagne and Hannes Strydom and co lifting a trophy – the last time a Lions side managed to do so. Ten long years – an eternity in professional sport.
With Louis Luyt as president during the ’90s, the Lions were the dominant South African team. In a period from 1992-1994 under coach Kitch Christie they held virtually every title on offer – a pair of Currie Cups, three Lion Cups, two M-Net Night Series titles, and the Super 10 trophy in 1993.
How things have changed. Results in the past couple of years across all teams make for unpleasant reading. The Lions came last in the 2008 Super 14 and 12th in 2009, and while they made the Currie Cup semi-finals last year they finished sixth in 2009. Dig a little deeper, and the Vodacom Cup, U19 and U21 sides haven’t yielded any silverware either. The U19s reached the final this year, but were walloped 45-13 by Free State. The University of Johannesburg have failed to make the play-offs in the Varsity Cup for two years running, and the Craven Week side hasn’t produced. From the senior side to the schoolboys, the Lions are losers.
Lions CEO Manie Reyneke is always positive, but by late October he looked a jaded figure. More poor results, the departure of coaches Leon Boshoff and Loffie Eloff, and the Jaque Fourie contract saga will do that to you.
‘It’s a stressful job, there have been many problems that I’ve had to sort out over the past two years,’ says Reyneke.
Those problems in the union came to a head with the axing of Eloff after the Super 14. After his three-year plan had failed, Jake White’s Winning Way company was employed. The Lions didn’t make the Currie Cup play-offs, but their last match of the season against Western Province provided some hope.
Now Lions supporters will wait to see if this was yet another false dawn.
The third intervention in three years came when Dick Muir was appointed as director of coaching, which includes leading the Super 14 team. He says claiming that title is the goal by the end of his three-year contract.
How?
Various changes were implemented under White, but Muir has a different rugby philosophy. While White favours a structured, defence-orientated game (the Lions scored the sixth most tries in the Currie Cup but had the third best defensive record), Muir prefers a more expansive style.
‘We also had an expansive game plan during the Currie Cup,’ says Reyneke, ‘and we scored some good tries. I don’t think it will be such a major change.’
Reyneke stresses the involvement of Winning Way and the positive structures that were introduced in those five months – such as implementing player support systems – will not be wasted.
‘When we brought in Winning Way, we were really down and out. I would tell the coaching staff every Monday that the players were unconditioned, but we needed someone from the outside to do those tests and look at our structures. Jake brought value. He introduced many things to the union – not things we didn’t know, but things that needed to be changed. We need to be at the top again, so it was vital for this union to be cleaned out.
‘The structures were there, they were just never used properly, so we’ve reinforced them. We knew exactly what needed improvement and all those things are up and running. All we need to do is maintain them. I’ll make sure whoever is responsible for certain things does their job.’
Muir is going to be an extremely busy man, juggling not two jobs, but three. You would expect the director of coaching role to be an all-year-round job, but Muir will continue as Springbok assistant coach as well as the managing director of the International Rugby Academy in South Africa.
‘It’ll be quite easy for Dick,’ says Reyneke. ‘He’ll be Super 14 coach and director of coaching, and will look at all the structures at the union. He’ll make sure that the coaches who take the Vodacom, U21, U19 and Craven Week sides are competent. He was busy looking into all that before the Boks’ November tour. I’m confident he can manage it.’
Fellow Bok assistant Gary Gold had also worked with the Stormers, but is now set to focus solely on the national job, posing further questions around whether Muir will be able to negotiate all three roles. His former employers at the Sharks even lodged an official complaint to Saru, as they felt it would be a conflict of interest as he could entice players away from them to his current team. Muir denied this would be the case and stressed that he would manage to juggle all three jobs.
‘The Lions appointment is a natural extension of my other roles. I believe that the dual role – as the Springbok assistant coach and Lions Super 14 coach – will further enrich my position as the facilitator of the academy.’
Muir was selected ahead of 16 other applicants from across the world, beating off the challenge of his nearest competitor, Heyneke Meyer. Meyer was viewed by many as the ideal candidate to do a similar job at the Lions to what he’d done with the Bulls at Loftus – making them the all-conquering union they are today. However, he wanted an entourage of support staff.
‘The main reason we didn’t want Heyneke was because he wanted to bring a complete new structure,’ says Reyneke. ‘He wanted different personnel in a package deal of himself and seven other people. With Winning Way we evaluated our staff and there are competent people here.’
While Reyneke stresses that the structures are in place to return to the glory days of the early-90s, the main ingredient missing is quality internationals. The Lions’ only Bok of 2009, Fourie, has left, making them the only big-five union without a regular Test player. The Lions have haemorrhaged talent, but both Reyneke and Muir believe another rebuilding job is not impossible. Most of the recruiting was done in the months prior to Muir’s appointment, but Reyneke isn’t concerned.
‘Yes, a coach does make a difference in terms of who will be recruited – he does favour certain players before others – and Dick looked at all the lists. He gave input and we took his advice. There is a committee that does recruitment, where we evaluate each and every player, so it’s not just individuals’ choices. We have sent offers to overseas players, although we’re limited in the number of foreigners we can recruit, but there are also excellent South Africans in Europe.
‘The fact is there are not many Boks around who don’t have contracts. But players follow coaches, and although it won’t have an immediate effect as we are one of those unions that honour contracts, there will be players coming our way. We’ll strengthen our side and become a force.
‘We also have an abundance of young talent in this country and we’re doing many of our players an injustice by contracting them and not giving them game time.’
Another challenge facing the Lions is the pitiful crowd attendances at Ellis Park due poor results and safety concerns. Some have suggested relocating to a ground outside the Jo’burg CBD, but Reyneke believes the ailing Lions brand will only get a much-needed injection once the team starts producing.
‘You must remember this is a cosmopolitan area, it’s not as easy for us to have the same homely atmosphere as the Sharks or Bulls. There are many Stormers supporters staying in Jo’burg making their money here, and the same goes for the other teams’ fans.
‘We have excellent projects; we’re the only union in the country that gives all U7 to U18 registered rugby players in the province free season tickets. There are many good projects on the go, but once we start winning, it will change overnight.
‘The fact is I could spend R20 million on marketing and it would all be wasted if we don’t start winning on the field. Winning is marketing.’
By Grant Ball
– This article first appeared in the December issue of SA Rugby magazine. The Jan-Feb issue is on sale now.
231 Comments
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4 Jan 2010, 21:01 pm
my m,ate in Durbs also told me that Smit is back at 2….great for Heinke and Buys….that front row wont stand back…..persistent rumours that the lions are still after Carl Hayman Willa.
4 Jan 2010, 21:02 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Nah I like him. With Jano’s service I think he can be really good. Much better than Earl Rose. And far better than Poepstring Pretorius in the last few years.
4 Jan 2010, 21:03 pm
@charo: happy new year Charo….my sentiments about Leeds as well…great for them , if we have to lose…rather to the Mighty Leeds…
4 Jan 2010, 21:04 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Ag boet. 4 Boks. Look at the line up. Heinke, Jano & ?
Tell you want a fit Sephaka will also be a shock to many.
Shimmie is rubbish, always was.
Chavanga is a Spaghetti Western, all spindly legs and no ability.
4 Jan 2010, 21:05 pm
@grant10: Keep that you yourself or you will be banned or made to support Man City.
4 Jan 2010, 21:05 pm
@grant10:
a Couple of o/seas players who have recieved offers. Waiting for agents to respond. But not holding my breath for this season.
4 Jan 2010, 21:06 pm
@charo: By the way – I would fancy our chances against Spurs.
4 Jan 2010, 21:06 pm
As long as the Lions beat the Stormers I will be happy. Very unproffesional unit the stormers.
4 Jan 2010, 21:07 pm
@grant10: I guess your President will not miss rugby. He’s too busy with 3 wives plus a fiancee. He’s a glutton for punishment, heh, heh
4 Jan 2010, 21:07 pm
@WilladieLeeu: And **** better not get any ideas on his play everyone in the wrong position like he did at the Sharks.
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
Hey Soda did I see that your Leeds beat Man Utd or did I imagine that?
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
@SodaJoe:
Heinke
Buys
Franco
Mokuena
Jano
Walla
Hollenbach
Watch those guys Soda. Your gonna be surprised.
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
@WilladieLeeu: i see Manie also mentions Saffas plying there trades overseas….really hope a t least 2 or 3 quality sighnings are announced…personally would love to see a powerful Lions and Stormers teams to give the Bulls and Sharks a run for there money for a change…..
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
@JimT: what president. SA has no such thing.
4 Jan 2010, 21:08 pm
@Pietman: The real Pietman can spell.
4 Jan 2010, 21:09 pm
@JimT: Zuma a glutton for punishment i tell you…..
Mercy!!
4 Jan 2010, 21:09 pm
@JimT: Mighty Whites. Marching On Together. Yeah baby.
4 Jan 2010, 21:10 pm
@SodaJoe:
It worked for them.
Two seasons. a Semi and a Final.
But agree, specialists. That’s what you need.
4 Jan 2010, 21:11 pm
Heavens, it looks like the ‘Night Owls’ are emerging once again!
4 Jan 2010, 21:11 pm
@WilladieLeeu: I hope so. Buys looked exceptional. Scary strong, scary big. If he’s fit he can make the Bok team for sure. Easily actually.
Mokuena – maybe. Good player.
Franco – I like a lot but stretching it for Boks.
The other guys I don’t know in all honesty.
4 Jan 2010, 21:11 pm
@grant10:
Wikus is coming back, and likely Wepener as well. That’s already two.
4 Jan 2010, 21:11 pm
@SodaJoe: Your guys showed ‘Sir Alex’…..!! Heheheheh
4 Jan 2010, 21:13 pm
@grant10: We had our own case of madness down here today. Someone hung, with a noose, an effigy of Obama in Jimmy Carter’s home town of Plains, Georgia.
Some people need to get a life & adjust to the 21st century.
4 Jan 2010, 21:13 pm
@SodaJoe:
All SUPERSTARS were unknowns.
When Matfield, Bakkies, FDP and Habana started out. No-one rated them.
New generation of Superstars in the making.
4 Jan 2010, 21:14 pm
@carol: Hello Karlien. How is our friend GBS doing?
4 Jan 2010, 21:14 pm
@SodaJoe: FA Cup final in the offing?
4 Jan 2010, 21:15 pm
@WilladieLeeu: thats great news….and i agree about specialists….thats my 1 wish for 2010….that we stop the player out of position nonsense.
4 Jan 2010, 21:15 pm
@grant10: I am sick & tired of SA teams filling up the basement in S14. It’s time that every team was in the top half. We have enough talent, although when you look at the Lions squad, and the performance of the Boks at the end of the year, you wonder how deep our talent pool actually is.
4 Jan 2010, 21:16 pm
I must be getting old. Look at the numbers my friends. Except for one period of huge success paid for [during the amateur era] by Louis Luyt, Transvaal were always competent battlers. Running, unpredictable and not intimidated by anyone locally or abroad for good reason.
Much like Free State.
The days of Jannie Breedt, John Robbie, Charles Pieterse and Wahl Bartmann set up the base that Francois Pienaar and others rode the wave on.
A famous player from the 1950′s, my ex coach ‘donated’ his Transvaal blazer to his gardener in disgust during the Okkie Oosthuizen days, when the old Vaal could’nt win for love or money.
4 Jan 2010, 21:16 pm
@JimT: i like Obama….just think the realities of the job are coming home to roost.
4 Jan 2010, 21:16 pm
joe and grant,
happy new year to you both as well.
currently back in sa enjoying a change in climate (a bit of rain beats 34c every day).
ranger, if you are reading (between changing nappies), how about a chilled hansa draft before sunday?
4 Jan 2010, 21:17 pm
@carol: Howdy Carol. Hope NYE was good.
By the way the “Pietman” is an imposter.
4 Jan 2010, 21:19 pm
@grant10: How do you know the beach ladies are ‘Brazillian’ – Is it a nudist beach?
Were there many empty seats at the cricket today btw, or was it a full house!
4 Jan 2010, 21:19 pm
@WilladieLeeu: Tell you want Wille Wepenaar between Heinke & Buys – that’s scary. Outstanding hooker, imo better than Bismark, but that will get Charo and Bushy all excited.
Wikus – well ok, there are worse. That will get Skoppies all excited.
4 Jan 2010, 21:20 pm
would be fantastic if Buys sticks his hand up at 3 as well…..BJ…CJ….WP NEL….BUYS….what was a weakness may be a strength come 2011.
Throw in Beast, heinke, guthro, w blaauw at loosehead and bobs your aunt….
Smit and Bissy at 2 the cupboard is full…
4 Jan 2010, 21:21 pm
@grant10: Tell you what Beast was very poor towards the end of the year. I hope he hasn’t been found out, or worse – found wanting.
4 Jan 2010, 21:22 pm
@carol:
hi carol,
my daughter and her husband arrived back in uk today from thailand. she is miserable and wants to go live in warmer climes.
is england that miserable at the moment?
4 Jan 2010, 21:22 pm
@carol: full house again by the looks of things….i worked like a trojan today but will be at the cricket on Wed again….LOL…definitley Brazilians….
4 Jan 2010, 21:22 pm
@SodaJoe: I wondered when you mentioned the spelling…..Piet does not usually greet me like that anyway!
Thanks for the warning, someone here to stir!
Believe it or not I drove on New Years Eve….No hangover on New Years Day, that was sort of novel!
What was happening in Soda World in Miniapollis on NYE?
4 Jan 2010, 21:24 pm
@SodaJoe:
bismarkis the bizness.
even smittie (in his book) rates him as outstanding and the best no2 in sa.
4 Jan 2010, 21:24 pm
@charo: Hi Charo, long time….The UK is perishing at the moment, OK nothing like Soda has to put up with tho.
Hopefully I may get snowed out of work on Wednesday!! Fingers crossed!
Where does your daughter live?
4 Jan 2010, 21:25 pm
@SodaJoe: that is true…..part of the fabled ‘ gang of turbo reverse’…
But he seemed fine with Smit at 2 and BJ on the park.
Best scrummaging front row would …imo…be Heinke…Smit and BJ….but Beast is young and will be be a better player for the experiences gained in 09.
4 Jan 2010, 21:27 pm
@charo: Hi Charo, compliments of the sean to you, you having a game at cloof country club soon?
4 Jan 2010, 21:28 pm
@carol: Nah, I’m going back to my cave to sleep. They changed the year on me, I’m sulking about that
4 Jan 2010, 21:29 pm
@carol:
been out of circulation since coming back on leave 2 weeks ago.
8)
better things to do
daughtr lives in fleet, hants. am sure it is just an adjustment issue after 2 weeks in asia.
now reckons singapore is the place for her.
4 Jan 2010, 21:31 pm
@SodaJoe:
Yeah, a front row of Heinke, WW, Buys will be a frightening prospect.
Then youv got Moore behind them. 2.04 m and weighs 120kg. BIG boy.
You watch Walter Venter and Alwyn Hollenbach at cente.
Walla weighs 97kg and Hollenbach 100kg. If given the chance they will be the best centre partnership in the country, and both still very young.
4 Jan 2010, 21:31 pm
@grant10: Yeah the celebrity aura only carries you so far. Time to cut down on the speeches & get to work. Too many people without a job here. The knicker bomber hasn’t helped his image/stature either
4 Jan 2010, 21:31 pm
sean is season, no sheep involved
4 Jan 2010, 21:32 pm
i love the tourists but hell i want my beach back….chaos i tell you….and parking….hell its like gold….parked about a km away from my spot the other day….that nite a few beers with mates, etc….next day of course couldnt remember where i parked the damn car….
4 Jan 2010, 21:32 pm
@BuckT:
buckt, long time. compliments to you too.
been playing a few games at kloof but far too lush for me – more used to barren fairways and dry greens over the last few months.
joking…..of course
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