The Pundits preview The Lions 2017 Super Rugby Squad

The Lions will go into this year’s competition with a bit of pressure on their backs after a sensational 2016 season, where they ended up making the final.

The Johannesburg side will want to prove that last season’s success was no fluke and we hope they have taken some leaf out of Leicester City’s book this year…  and not just make it one year filled with promise and accolades.

The South African conference is expected to be tightly contested this year, but if the Lions can play anything like they did last season then we should see them in the play-offs.

The Panel’s Thoughts:

@JudgeRugy:

The main target for the Lions this season is continuity. If they still have the desire and freshness to carry on with their upward curve we will see more fireworks this year than last.

The loss of Redelinghuys and Tecklenberg could hurt but the core of their squad remains the same.

Cyle Brink & Anthony Volmink are players that will catch the eye if they stay fit. Again, The Lions are SA’s best hope along with the Bulls.

@OdinKuun:

With the tournament set up as it is, the Lions have an ‘easier’ fixture list than last year, meaning they will face no New Zealand team until the qualifiers! But of course nothing is easy in Super Rugby. Can the Lions repeat their heroics from last season? Why not?

They have kept most of their team intact, well coached ‘en die brul is defentief terug in die Leeu’. If they can replicate the free-flowing, running rugby that we all praised them for last year I don’t see why they can’t have another good season.     

@Justus_Beets:

If there was any complacency in the Lions after becoming finalists in Super rugby 2016, a poor Currie cup beat it out of them. I think they have enough familiar faces left over from 2016 to beat the Sharks for the top spot in their conference. That’s where the crystal ball gets cloudy. A lot will depend on Elton Jantjies and where he is mentally, after a tough time in the green & gold.

@Hoerboer:

If I’m not mistaken, the Lions did the least amount of shopping in the transfer season and only lost a couple of players and most “new” signings are youngsters coming through the ranks. They should be able to compete for a final again. Young, energetic squad with a good coach. Things can’t go wrong. Players to watch: Dylan Smith, Harold Voster en Kwagga Smith