URC 2024/25 | Lions ready to take that next step

The Emirates Lions were just one try off from a Play-Off spot last season as Ospreys snuck in ahead of them in the final moments of Round 18.

The Johannesburg outfit finished level on points with Ospreys, who finished just above them in 8th with more games won, with the Welsh side scoring a bonus-point try with just seconds remaining in their Judgement Day clash with Cardiff to leave the Lions heartbroken.

But the Lions have plenty of positives to take with them into the new season. They scored an impressive 67 tries last season, running in a whopping 7144 metres with 142 clean breaks.

They also pulled off some huge results including a double over the Hollywoodbets Sharks, an away win against Connacht, and a hugely impressive 44-21 win over champions Glasgow Warriors despite playing a chunk of that game with 13 players on the pitch.

From a recruitment perspective, the Lions have brought in the likes of Juan Schoeman from Bath and WJ Steenkamp from the Vodacom Bulls to bolster their squad.

Key Players

Sanele Nohamba was recently named Vodacom Player of the Season and will continue to be a huge player for the Emirates Lions having scored 117 points for them last season.

Scrumhalf Morne van den Berg chipped in with five tries last season and was rewarded with a starting berth for South Africa in the Rugby Championship.

Youngster Quan Horn is a real star in the making too, with seven tries in his 17 appearances last season, with 757 metres made and 28 defenders beaten.

Flanker JC Pretorious was a huge weapon for the Lions last season at the breakdown with 17 turnovers.

Ins & Outs

Ins:

Kade Wolhunter – DHL Stormers

Franco Marais – Urayasu D-Rocks

Juan Schoeman – Bath

Siba Qoma – Cheetahs

WJ Steenkamp – Vodacom Bulls

Tapiwa Mafura – Cheetahs

Outs:

Jordan Hendrikse – Hollywoodbets Sharks

Hanru Sirgel – Grenoble

Emmanuel Tshituka – Hollywoodbets Sharks

Tyler Bocks – Ealing Trailfinders

Stean Pienaar – released

Travis Gordan – released

Andries Coetzee – released

Sibusiso Sangweni – released

Ruan Smith – released

Corne Fourie – released

Willem Alberts – retired

Rhynardt Rijnsburger – retired