Lions announce competitive schedule

Lions announce competitive schedule

27 Nov 2012

The Lions have confirmed the fixtures they’ll play in 2013 during their Super Rugby absence.

These plans have been in the pipeline since the Lions were relegated from Super Rugby in August.

As reported in October, the Lions have been in contact with American, Pacific and European teams. Most of these clubs and countries have confirmed their availability next season.

The Lions will kick off their year with a home clash against Russia. Three Super Rugby warm-up matches against the Cheetahs, Bulls and Kings will follow.

They then face Namibia away and French Top 14 new boys Mont-de-Marsan at home, before embarking on a tour to the USA and Canada.

They then host Agen, Samoa, the French Barbarians, Montpellier and Grenoble at Ellis Park in May, June and July. There will also be Super Rugby opposition in the Stormers and Sharks, who will likely field under-strength teams during the tournament’s June break.

The Lions will then face the last-placed franchise in the South African conference in the Super Rugby promotion-relegation play-offs on 27 July and 3 August.

Lions 2013 schedule:
19 Jan – Russia, Ellis Park
23 Jan – Cheetahs, Ellis Park
2 Feb – Bulls, Orlando Stadium
9 Feb – Kings, Ellis Park
23 Feb – Namibia, Windhoek
16 March – Mont-de-Marsan, Ellis Park
13 April – US invitational, Irvine, California
20 April – US invitational, Vancouver, Canada
27 April – Chicago Lions, Chicago
11 May – Agen, Ellis Park
1 June – Samoa, Ellis Park
8 June – French Barbarians, Ellis Park
15 June – Stormers, Ellis Park
21 June – Sharks, Ellis Park
12 July – Montpellier, Ellis Park
20 July – Grenoble, Ellis Park
27 July – Super Rugby promotion-relegation 1st leg, TBC
3 August – Super Rugby promotion-relegation 2nd leg, Ellis Park


35 Comments

  • 1.shebeen: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 17:36 pm

    dragons playing the kings?? grudge match of note!

  • 2.gecko: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 17:39 pm

    So Agen and Montpellier are being played in the French off-season, and while the French team is touring to NZ – so will they be 1st choice players? And the Stormers and Sharks games during the Bok international window?

  • 3.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 17:39 pm

    Are there sponsors yet? And who tf are the chicago lions. Dunno why the stormers and sharks agreed to play, they should be on their midyear break – too much rugby unless they send their 2nd teams which will be the case I think.

  • 4.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 17:41 pm

    they get to travel to the Staes and Canada?
    Some players are going to be sorry they jumped ship

  • 5.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 17:43 pm

    Please lions fans explain to me why ellispark will be empty for these matches?

  • 6.BULLET: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 18:11 pm

    I think that this will be a much more friendly schedule for the players.
    If I was Heyneke Meyer, and I could not get central contracts, I would ask the 12 best contracted Boks to go play for the Lions.

    Definitely a more gentle schedule, would not have to play every game as they are not going to be relegated, and will help the player drain.

    In fact, I would insist it for the guarenteed Boks.
    Bismark, Jannie, Schalk, JDV, Habs, JPP

  • 7.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 18:13 pm

    Interesting schedule, can’t see how this is competitive but I guess its the best they could of did. Who is paying for all these games? SARU?

  • 8.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 18:18 pm

    @BULLET-6: errrr what? You want our best players to play low standard rugby? They will be way undercooked when it comes to international rugby.

    Who is still left at the Lions that is decent? Heyneke can make use of those of those players during the June season. Players like JC and Andries Coetzee.

  • 9.Horings: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 18:25 pm

    So all the Stormers supporters thought Jantjies and Taute will win them the Super rugby tournament. Not if they are playing in a playoff on the same weekend than either the semi final or final of the super rugby series.

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

  • 10.Horings: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 18:28 pm

    @Horings-9: Cannot believe these “journalists” on keo does not read our comments as I mentioned this scenario a couple of months ago. I would believe it is news worthy to know whether all your loan players are actually only there to add depth or to be crucial in a win.

    I guess it is easier to copy and paste, rather than ask some questions.

  • 11.Tuna: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 18:45 pm

    Good to see the Lions not sitting on their back side with “bak handjies” like certain franchises.

  • 12.BULLET: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 19:11 pm

    @Sasuke,

    You missing the point. Our best players can get a rest, and play 3 or 4 warm up fixtures against Samoa, French Barbarians, Stormers & Sharks before the tri nations. Hardly second string opponents those.

    Anyway, it was more of a laugh than anything else.

    I would love to see our top 12 players not even pick up a rugby ball from now till March. That gives them 12 weeks to condition, and 12 weeks to start getting match fit (max 6 -8 games) before tri nations 2013.

    This is how it should be. But alas, our guys will have a std 2 week Christmas break, start pre-season with the super rugby franchises in the first week of Jan, play 2 warm up games, 14 or 15 super rugby games, 6 RC games, 8 or so games in the CC, and then wonder why we have injuries come the 2013 EOYT.

  • 13.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 19:27 pm

    So who’s broadcasting this…my guess is nof@rkinone. The lionscircus should blackout the tv signal for jhb and force the “loyal lion fans” like Horingkie to go watch at Ellisp.

  • 14.Jinx2: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 19:32 pm

    I will be in Irvine to watch them against the US. What a treat.

  • 15.DumpsterDiver: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 19:56 pm

    A more entertaining article will be when they announce their squad.

  • 16.Hans Wlomeyer: Reply to this comment
    27 Nov 2012, 23:34 pm

    Has the coke sponsorship expired? We all know it is Ellis park but they wouldve said coca cola park wouldn’t they?

  • 17.uncle oswald: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 00:25 am

    I’ll be traveling up to Chicago for sure. Nice one!

  • 18.umkhonto: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 06:45 am

    Good luck to the Lions, not sitting back and waiting for handouts.

  • 19.umkhonto: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 06:49 am

    @Slappes-3: Did they need your permission, I think you think a little highly of yourself.

  • 20.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 07:20 am

    @BULLET-12: Oh :lol:

    Yes I agree with you. Our top Boks should be afforded more rest time. They shouldnt take part in the Currie Cup for one and they should be given a few games rest in Super Rugby.

  • 21.Umlungu: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 08:52 am

    Sounds exciting and could be a good line up of games EXCEPT………there is the small matter of the ittiest teeniest fine print at the base of their schedule:

    “FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO IRB APPROVAL AND FINAL CHANGES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LIONS”

    Which in rugby parlance is that all these TBC’s and other international games are not “on” – at least not yet – and this release was designed to puff up and schmoooze players suite holders season ticket holders who need to sign up for 2013..

    If this was a go situation there would be sponsors announced who would foot the R2m a game bill for the international sides. The local franchise games are all pick me up warm up friendlies for 80mins and meaning little to nothing.

    The Lions need to have marketed the two Promotion Relegation matches as that right there is the rub – to get back into Super Rugby for 2014.

  • 22.Gordon Gekko: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 09:04 am

    @Umlungu-21:

    Couldn’t agree more.

    This is a R25m bill that someone has to eat for 6 months and there is little to no benefit to any sponsor without the games being televised.

    Where is SuperSports announcement alongside this that they will screen live or delayed tape broadcasts of these games or is this destined for Blitz?

    This is a monster bill that the Lions have to pay for. SARU might help with travel & hotel for the local franchise games plus Samoa who are here anyway – but Namibia, Russia, USA, Canada do not offer edge of the seat stuff for a broadcaster or sponsor, or suite holder or season ticket holder.

    Add the monthly cash burn at the Lions of R8m a month and pretty soon the Lions will have to be on life support as R25m plus R50m over 6 months is too big a nut for any franchise to have to swallow.

    It is going to take a sponsor and broadcaster with brass gonads to step forward and offer up some philanthropy money here, or a corporation who seeks a tax loss to write off against advertising.

    This waiting room atmosphere is not pleasant.

  • 23.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 09:21 am

    @Umlungu-21:
    yip, agreed.

    the schedule does look amazing though and i for one will congratulate the lions exec if they do indeed pull of the full schedule of games.

    russia, samoa, french barbarians, us invitational :shock: wow!

    in fact all the teams listed deserve a wow!

  • 24.grant10: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 10:20 am

    Lions setting the foundation for a SA move to Northern Hemisphere post 2015…watch this space.

  • 25.suffer_guy: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 10:28 am

    24??????????? lol!!!! can someone tell me if grant10 has matric?

  • 26.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 10:39 am

    @grant10-24:
    i am following this closely indeed.

    have been sending emails to a few of the people at the lions and saru.

    must say i am relly chaffed with KDK and Co. for seeming to have gotten something right for a change.

    this has huge, huge potential.

  • 27.i_love_u_bakkiesbotha: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 10:40 am

    samoa would be and awesome match

    no way the lions will win that one

    but still good entertainment

  • 28.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 15:40 pm

    King Louis likes KdK, that’s good for me.
    The Lions are doing things the queens never thought of

    Go Lions

  • 29.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 15:47 pm

    Oh, I’ll be there at Orlando
    The Bulls know how to spin

  • 30.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 15:51 pm

    “spin” I mean keeping everybody happy
    First Soccer City and now Orlando

    woooohaaa

  • 31.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 15:53 pm

    BOOOOOM

  • 32.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 16:00 pm

    Thank god no more rugby for a month
    no more “I hate HM”
    no more “I hate BB”
    no more “I hate Morné”

    But……
    Next year will be our year….

    ;)

  • 33.wnbb: Reply to this comment
    28 Nov 2012, 20:57 pm

    Oooooh,I am sooooo excited!!!

  • 34.durbs2atl: Reply to this comment
    29 Nov 2012, 14:08 pm

    Chicago Lions !!!!!!! Standing alone ……this team is not even in the TOP 5 of USA teams !! So..This Chicago team will need to be an Invitational Team playing in Local jerseys only. This should be called a Chicago Barbarians Team.Their standard of Rugby as a club decidedly low.Must be playing this team because of the similarity of last names?????

  • 35.Rhys7: Reply to this comment
    29 Nov 2012, 21:07 pm

    Super rugby requires rotation, Stormers can do that now got cover in every position and quality too:

    15 Taute / Pietersen
    14 Aplon / Van Den Heever
    13 De Jongh / Du Plessis
    12 De Villiers / Brache
    11 Habana / De Allende
    10 Jantjes / Grant / Van Aswegen
    9 Groom / Schroeder / Duvenhage
    8 Vermeulen / Carr
    7 Burger / Elstadt
    6 Kolisi / Rhodes
    5 Bekker / Stenkamp
    4 Etzebeth / Botha
    3 Cilliers / Malherbe
    2 Liebenberg / Fourie / Ntubeni
    1 Kitshoff / Carstens

    Persobally I think we could really do with Louw or/and J Fourie

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