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Lions (rugby franchise)
Encyclopedia
The Lions, known as the Cats between the 1998
and 2006 seasons
, are a South Africa
n rugby union
franchise that competes in the Super Rugby
competition. From 2011 they are known as the MTN
Lions for sponsorship reasons. They have not achieved great success in this competition, finishing at the bottom of the table five times (in 1998, 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2010). However, they have managed to reach the semifinal stage twice (in 2000 and 2001). The current team captain is lock Franco van der Merwe.
The Lions play in a red and white strip. For a time, the team faced relegation from the Super 14 after the Southern Spears
won a court ruling that they be included in the competition in place of the lowest ranked South African team in the 2006 competition. http://www.pretorianews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3376189 However, the Spears and the country's national federation, the South African Rugby Union
, reached a settlement of their legal case. By the terms of the settlement, announced on 16 November 2006, the financially troubled Spears abandoned their case, ensuring the Lions a place in the competition for the foreseeable future.
In October 2010 Ivor Ichikowitz
became co-owner of The Lions with his long time friend Robert Gumede. Ichikowitz owns a 49.9% stake of the club.
to determine what provinces would be promoted to the new international tournament. The Transvaal Rugby Union
were promoted in the first ever season
, winning three of their 11 fixtures, finishing in 10th position on the end of season ladder, above the Canterbury Crusaders and the Western Province
.
Transvaal were again promoted to the Super 12 for the 1997 season
, and played under the title of the Gauteng Lions. The Lions' season was a lot more successful than their results in the inaugural season. The Lions won and lost five matches, and drawing one, to finish in fifth place overall on the end of season table, two points behind the fourth-placed Natal Sharks
, narrowly missing out on a place in the finals.
For the 1998 season
SA Rugby changed the Currie Cup qualification process for the Super 12, following Australia and New Zealand by forming provincial franchises. The Cats, or Golden Cats were established as one of the four new franchises, and were centered around the Golden Lions
, as well as the Leopards and Pumas
, as well as drawing from the Free State, Griffons and Griquas. The Cats home ground was to be between Ellis Park and the Free State Stadium.
The Cats did not make the finals in their first two seasons, but the appointment of former New Zealand coach Laurie Mains
for the 2000 season
signalled a change in fortunes. After defeating the Bulls in Pretoria
in the opening round, they also defeated the Stormers
at home in round two. However, the Cats' good fortunes soon went sour as they fell to four straight losses, even going down 64-0 to the Brumbies
. The losing streak was snapped when the Cats pulled off a one-point victory over the Sharks in Durban
. Following a bye, the Cats stormed through the remainder of the season undefeated to finish in fourth position, their best finish yet, as well as qualifying for a semi-final.
The semi-final was played at the Brumbies' home ground in Canberra
, with the homeside winning 28-3 to knock the Cats out of the finals. The 2001 Super 12 season
started off in a positive style for the Cats; defeating the Stormers 29-24, and then crushing the Highlanders 56-21, as well as narrowly losing a reply of last season's semi-final against the Brumbies 19-17. The Cats qualified for the finals again, finishing in third place, another bettering last season's fourth. However they were again knocked out in the semi-finals, losing 30-12, this time to the Sharks. The Cats did not qualify for the finals the next few seasons. Then the Super 12 was expanded into the Super 14
for the 2006 season
, with the addition of two new teams; the Central Cheetahs
and the Western Force
. The Cats finished in 13th place overall.
During the 2010 Super 14 season
, the Lions lost all 13 games of the season, setting a new record. The previous record was held by the Bulls, with 0 wins from the 11 game season in 2002.
On 20 January 2011, the club announced a 3-year sponsorship deal with telecoms company MTN.
In February 2011, the club signed Springbok fly-half Butch James
amongst other high profile signings Lionel Mapoe, Pat Cilliers and Rory Kockott
.
, and have always been centred around the Lions union
(Johannesburg), drawing players from that union since the inception of the competition as Super 12 in 1996. Currently, they also draw players from the Leopards
(North West
) and Pumas
(Mpumalanga
) unions. Through 2005, the Cats drew from the two unions based in Free State
—the Free State Cheetahs
(Bloemfontein
) and Griffons
(Welkom
)—and the Griquas
(Northern Cape
), but that arrangement ended when the Central Cheetahs
became South Africa's new Super 14 franchise.
The Cheetahs now draw their players from Free State, Griffons and Griquas, while the Leopards and Pumas were moved from the franchise area of the Bulls
to that of the Cats. Prior to 1998, the Cats (more accurately, the Golden Lions) competed in the then-Super 12 as Transvaal, as South Africa then sent its top four unions to the Super 12 instead of franchises, and Transvaal qualified both years.
or more commonly as just Ellis Park, named after the creator of Rugby William Webb Ellis. The stadium is in Johannesburg. Ellis Park hosted a number of matches at the 1995 Rugby World Cup
, including the final, which was played out between the All Blacks
and South Africa
, which saw South Africa win the William Webb Ellis Cup in an emotional final.
to be South African.
Waratahs
) Guy Cronje (from
Sharks
) Ross Cronje (from Sharks
) Stephan Greeff (from Western Province
) Bradley Moolman (from Blue Bulls
) Whestley Moolman (from Leopards
) Hendrik Roodt (from Griquas) CJ van der Linde
(from Stormers
) Callie Visagie (from Maties)
Boland Cavaliers
) Rory Kockott
(to
Castres
) André Pretorius
(to Toulon) Johan Snyman
(to EP Kings
) David Bulbring
(to EP Kings
) Jano Vermaak (to Bulls
)
1998 Super 12 season
The 1998 Super 12 season was the third season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1998, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,...
and 2006 seasons
2006 Super 14 season
The 2006 Super 14 season started on Friday 10 February 2006. The Grand Final was held on Saturday 27 May 2006. Super 14 is a provincial rugby union competition with 14 teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. This season was the first of the expansion, which saw two new teams, the...
, are a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
franchise that competes in the Super Rugby
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
competition. From 2011 they are known as the MTN
MTN
MTN may refer to:* MTN Group, a major South Africa-based mobile telephone network operator active in many African and Middle Eastern countries* Maritime Telecommunications Network, a mobile phone network that operates on sea vessels like cruise liners...
Lions for sponsorship reasons. They have not achieved great success in this competition, finishing at the bottom of the table five times (in 1998, 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2010). However, they have managed to reach the semifinal stage twice (in 2000 and 2001). The current team captain is lock Franco van der Merwe.
The Lions play in a red and white strip. For a time, the team faced relegation from the Super 14 after the Southern Spears
Southern Spears
The Southern Spears, were a South African rugby union franchise who were originally founded in 2005 and were intended to participate in the Super 14 from 2007 onwards; however, their proposed entry into the competition led to considerable controversy within the country's rugby establishment...
won a court ruling that they be included in the competition in place of the lowest ranked South African team in the 2006 competition. http://www.pretorianews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3376189 However, the Spears and the country's national federation, the South African Rugby Union
South African Rugby Union
The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board...
, reached a settlement of their legal case. By the terms of the settlement, announced on 16 November 2006, the financially troubled Spears abandoned their case, ensuring the Lions a place in the competition for the foreseeable future.
In October 2010 Ivor Ichikowitz
Ivor Ichikowitz
Ivor Ichikowitz, born 1966, is a South African industrialist of Lithuanian descent. He is founder and Executive Chairman of the Paramount Group, and Executive Chairman of TransAfrica Capital...
became co-owner of The Lions with his long time friend Robert Gumede. Ichikowitz owns a 49.9% stake of the club.
Transvaal/Lions
When the Super 12 was launched in 1996, both Australia and New Zealand created franchise-based models for their teams in the new tournament. South Africa however, used the previous seasons Currie CupCurrie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
to determine what provinces would be promoted to the new international tournament. The Transvaal Rugby Union
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
were promoted in the first ever season
1996 Super 12 season
The 1996 Super 12 season was the inaugural season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1996, with each team playing all the others once...
, winning three of their 11 fixtures, finishing in 10th position on the end of season ladder, above the Canterbury Crusaders and the Western Province
Stormers
The Stormers, for sponsorship reasons referred to as DHL Stormers, are a South African rugby union team based in Cape Town competing in the Super Rugby competition . Despite their lack of silverware over the years, their home stadium, Newlands, typically draws the highest average attendance figures...
.
Transvaal were again promoted to the Super 12 for the 1997 season
1997 Super 12 season
The 1997 Super 12 season was the second season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1997, with each team playing all the others once...
, and played under the title of the Gauteng Lions. The Lions' season was a lot more successful than their results in the inaugural season. The Lions won and lost five matches, and drawing one, to finish in fifth place overall on the end of season table, two points behind the fourth-placed Natal Sharks
Sharks (rugby franchise)
The Sharks are a South African rugby union team competing in the Super Rugby competition...
, narrowly missing out on a place in the finals.
Cats
1998 Super 12 season
The 1998 Super 12 season was the third season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1998, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,...
SA Rugby changed the Currie Cup qualification process for the Super 12, following Australia and New Zealand by forming provincial franchises. The Cats, or Golden Cats were established as one of the four new franchises, and were centered around the Golden Lions
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
, as well as the Leopards and Pumas
Pumas (rugby team)
The Ford Pumas are a South African rugby union team that competes in the Premier Division of the 2011 Currie Cup. Based at Puma Stadium in Witbank as well as the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, the team draws their players from Mpumalanga Province .The Pumas won the Currie Cup First Division The...
, as well as drawing from the Free State, Griffons and Griquas. The Cats home ground was to be between Ellis Park and the Free State Stadium.
The Cats did not make the finals in their first two seasons, but the appointment of former New Zealand coach Laurie Mains
Laurie Mains
Laurence William 'Laurie' Mains MNZM is a former rugby union footballer and coach who represented New Zealand. Mains' representative career started when he first played for Otago in 1967. He made his All Blacks début in 1971, against the British and Irish Lions. His last Test was against Ireland...
for the 2000 season
2000 Super 12 season
The 2000 Super 12 season was the fifth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2000, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,...
signalled a change in fortunes. After defeating the Bulls in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
in the opening round, they also defeated the Stormers
Stormers
The Stormers, for sponsorship reasons referred to as DHL Stormers, are a South African rugby union team based in Cape Town competing in the Super Rugby competition . Despite their lack of silverware over the years, their home stadium, Newlands, typically draws the highest average attendance figures...
at home in round two. However, the Cats' good fortunes soon went sour as they fell to four straight losses, even going down 64-0 to the Brumbies
Brumbies Rugby
The Brumbies are a Super 15 rugby union team based in Canberra, Australia and named for the wild horses which inhabit Canberra's hinterland...
. The losing streak was snapped when the Cats pulled off a one-point victory over the Sharks in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. Following a bye, the Cats stormed through the remainder of the season undefeated to finish in fourth position, their best finish yet, as well as qualifying for a semi-final.
The semi-final was played at the Brumbies' home ground in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, with the homeside winning 28-3 to knock the Cats out of the finals. The 2001 Super 12 season
2001 Super 12 season
The 2001 Super 12 season was the sixth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2001, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,...
started off in a positive style for the Cats; defeating the Stormers 29-24, and then crushing the Highlanders 56-21, as well as narrowly losing a reply of last season's semi-final against the Brumbies 19-17. The Cats qualified for the finals again, finishing in third place, another bettering last season's fourth. However they were again knocked out in the semi-finals, losing 30-12, this time to the Sharks. The Cats did not qualify for the finals the next few seasons. Then the Super 12 was expanded into the Super 14
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
for the 2006 season
2006 Super 14 season
The 2006 Super 14 season started on Friday 10 February 2006. The Grand Final was held on Saturday 27 May 2006. Super 14 is a provincial rugby union competition with 14 teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. This season was the first of the expansion, which saw two new teams, the...
, with the addition of two new teams; the Central Cheetahs
Central Cheetahs
The Central Cheetahs, known for sponsorship reasons as the Toyota Cheetahs, is a South African rugby union team that entered the Super Rugby competition in 2006. The franchise area encompasses the Free State and Northern Cape. In terms of Currie Cup unions, the Cheetahs draw from Free State...
and the Western Force
Western Force
Western Force is a rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia playing in the international Super Rugby competition. They first competed in the 2006 season and finished with the wooden spoon in that year, however their performances greatly improved in 2007. In 2008 they finished in 8th...
. The Cats finished in 13th place overall.
Lions
On 8 September 2006, the Golden Lions Rugby Union, the company that operates both the Golden Lions and the Cats, announced that the team would be known in the future as the Lions, and unveiled a new logo.During the 2010 Super 14 season
2010 Super 14 season
The 2010 Super 14 season kicked off in February 2010 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 29 May. The 2010 season was the fifth and last season of the expanded Super 14 format. The schedule, which covers 3½ months, featured a total of 94 matches, with each team playing one...
, the Lions lost all 13 games of the season, setting a new record. The previous record was held by the Bulls, with 0 wins from the 11 game season in 2002.
On 20 January 2011, the club announced a 3-year sponsorship deal with telecoms company MTN.
In February 2011, the club signed Springbok fly-half Butch James
Butch James
Andrew David "Butch" James is a South African rugby union player. He has represented 40 times and was a member of the team that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He also played for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership...
amongst other high profile signings Lionel Mapoe, Pat Cilliers and Rory Kockott
Rory Kockott
Rory Kockott born 25 June 1986 in East London, South Africa is a rugby union player and attended Selborne College. He currently plays for Castres Olympique after signing from the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a scrumhalf.-External links:*...
.
Location
They are based in JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, and have always been centred around the Lions union
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...
(Johannesburg), drawing players from that union since the inception of the competition as Super 12 in 1996. Currently, they also draw players from the Leopards
Leopards (rugby team)
The Leopards, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They play out of Potchefstroom at Olën Park as well as the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg...
(North West
North West (South African province)
North West is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Mafikeng. The province is located to the west of the major population centre of Gauteng.-History:...
) and Pumas
Pumas (rugby team)
The Ford Pumas are a South African rugby union team that competes in the Premier Division of the 2011 Currie Cup. Based at Puma Stadium in Witbank as well as the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, the team draws their players from Mpumalanga Province .The Pumas won the Currie Cup First Division The...
(Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga , is a province of South Africa. The name means east or literally "the place where the sun rises" in Swazi, Xhosa, Ndebele and Zulu. Mpumalanga lies in eastern South Africa, north of KwaZulu-Natal and bordering Swaziland and Mozambique. It constitutes 6.5% of South Africa's land area...
) unions. Through 2005, the Cats drew from the two unions based in Free State
Free State
The Free State is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Orange Free State Boer republic and later Orange Free State Province. The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans...
—the Free State Cheetahs
Free State Cheetahs
The Free State Cheetahs , currently named the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, for sponsorship reasons, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 37,076-capacity Vodacom Park in...
(Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
) and Griffons
Griffons (rugby team)
The Griffons, currently referred to as the Tasol Solar Griffons for sponsorship reasons, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...
(Welkom
Welkom
Welkom is a city in the Free State province of South Africa, located 160 kilometres northeast of Bloemfontein, the provincial capital. Welkom received municipal status in 1961 and was declared a city in 1968 on the 14th of February...
)—and the Griquas
Wildeklawer Griquas
The GWK Griquas are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. Their home ground is Hoffe Park Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as GWK Park in Kimberley, and they draw their players from Northern Cape Province. They were previously known as...
(Northern Cape
Northern Cape
The Northern Cape is the largest and most sparsely populated province of South Africa. It was created in 1994 when the Cape Province was split up. Its capital is Kimberley. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park, part of an international park shared with Botswana...
), but that arrangement ended when the Central Cheetahs
Central Cheetahs
The Central Cheetahs, known for sponsorship reasons as the Toyota Cheetahs, is a South African rugby union team that entered the Super Rugby competition in 2006. The franchise area encompasses the Free State and Northern Cape. In terms of Currie Cup unions, the Cheetahs draw from Free State...
became South Africa's new Super 14 franchise.
The Cheetahs now draw their players from Free State, Griffons and Griquas, while the Leopards and Pumas were moved from the franchise area of the Bulls
Bulls (rugby franchise)
The Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Bulls, are a South African rugby union team competing in the Super Rugby competition. They are based in Pretoria and play their home matches at Loftus Versfeld...
to that of the Cats. Prior to 1998, the Cats (more accurately, the Golden Lions) competed in the then-Super 12 as Transvaal, as South Africa then sent its top four unions to the Super 12 instead of franchises, and Transvaal qualified both years.
Stadium
The Lions' home ground is Coca-Cola Park, also known by its non-sponsored name of Ellis Park StadiumEllis Park Stadium
Ellis Park Stadium, also known because of its sponsorship by The Coca-Cola Company as Coca-Cola Park, is a rugby union and association football stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa. It hosted the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup, which was won by the country's...
or more commonly as just Ellis Park, named after the creator of Rugby William Webb Ellis. The stadium is in Johannesburg. Ellis Park hosted a number of matches at the 1995 Rugby World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
, including the final, which was played out between the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
and South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
, which saw South Africa win the William Webb Ellis Cup in an emotional final.
Coaches
- 1997: Ray MordtRay MordtRaymond Herman "Ray" Mordt is a South African rugby union player. Ray grew up and started playing rugby in Rhodesia . He returned to South Africa and played Wing for the Springboks where he captained the team 3 times from 1980 until 1984...
- 1998: Peet Kleynhans
- 1999: Andre MarkgraaffAndre MarkgraaffAndries Thomas "Andre" Markgraaff was a South African rugby union flanker, and controversial national coach, who resigned after he was taped referring to "fucking kaffirs". He was selected for the South African team in 1986 against the Cavaliers but as an unused substitute...
- 2000-2001: Laurie MainsLaurie MainsLaurence William 'Laurie' Mains MNZM is a former rugby union footballer and coach who represented New Zealand. Mains' representative career started when he first played for Otago in 1967. He made his All Blacks début in 1971, against the British and Irish Lions. His last Test was against Ireland...
- 2002: Rudi Joubert
- 2003: Tim LaneTim Lane (rugby union)Tim Lane is an Australian rugby union coach and former player.-Playing career:As a player, he played either in the centres or at fly-half...
- 2004-2005: Chester WilliamsChester WilliamsChester Mornay Williams is a former South African rugby union rugby player. He played as a winger for the Springboks from 1993 to 2000...
- 2006: Frans Ludeke
- 2007-2010: Eugene Eloff
- 2010: Dick Muir
- 2010-: John MitchellJohn Mitchell (rugby player)John Eric Paul Mitchell, is a noted former rugby union player and former coach for the New Zealand All Blacks. Mitchell's rugby career blossomed with the club side Fraser-Tech after he moved from King Country in 1984 and was soon elected Waikato Colts captain...
2012 Super Rugby Squad
Unless otherwise indicated, all players are considered by the IRBInternational Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
to be South African.
Props
Hookers
Locks
|
Back Row Forwards
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
|
Centres
Wingers
Fullbacks
|
In for 2012
Eddie Bredenhann (from WaratahsNew South Wales Waratahs
The New South Wales Waratahs are an Australian rugby union football team, representing the majority of New South Wales in the Super 15 Super Rugby competition...
) Guy Cronje (from
SharksNatal Sharks
The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
) Ross Cronje (from
SharksNatal Sharks
The Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
) Stephan Greeff (from
Western ProvinceWestern Province (rugby team)
DHL Western Province is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. The team has won the Currie Cup on 32 occasions and has the most supporters of any Currie Cup team...
) Bradley Moolman (from
Blue BullsBlue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...
) Whestley Moolman (from
LeopardsLeopards (rugby team)
The Leopards, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They play out of Potchefstroom at Olën Park as well as the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg...
) Hendrik Roodt (from
Griquas) CJ van der LindeCJ van der Linde
CJ van der Linde is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is prop. He played for Leinster Rugby in the international Magners League from 2008–10, and currently plays for the Stormers....
(from
StormersStormers
The Stormers, for sponsorship reasons referred to as DHL Stormers, are a South African rugby union team based in Cape Town competing in the Super Rugby competition . Despite their lack of silverware over the years, their home stadium, Newlands, typically draws the highest average attendance figures...
) Callie Visagie (from
Maties)Out for 2012
Burton Francis (to Boland CavaliersBoland Cavaliers
The Boland Cavaliers , are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...
) Rory Kockott
Rory Kockott
Rory Kockott born 25 June 1986 in East London, South Africa is a rugby union player and attended Selborne College. He currently plays for Castres Olympique after signing from the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. He plays as a scrumhalf.-External links:*...
(to
CastresCastres Olympique
Castres Olympique is a French rugby union club located in the Midi-Pyrénées city of Castres and currently competing in the top level of the French league system.Founded in 1898, the club took its current name in 1906...
) André Pretorius
André Pretorius
André Pretorius is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is at fly-half, where he is currently under contract at the Lions. He has been capped by his country's national side, the Springboks and was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad that was crowned world champions...
(to
Toulon) Johan SnymanJohan Snyman
Johan Snyman is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the .He was born in Evander, but went to Outeniqua High School in George. He played for at the 2004 Craven Week, before moving to the in 2005...
(to
EP KingsEastern Province Kings
The Eastern Province Kings are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup tournaments and are governed by the Eastern Province Rugby Union...
) David Bulbring
David Bulbring
David Bulbring is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the .He was born in Port Elizabeth and represented at the 2007 Under 18 Craven Week...
(to
EP KingsEastern Province Kings
The Eastern Province Kings are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup tournaments and are governed by the Eastern Province Rugby Union...
) Jano Vermaak (to
BullsBulls
Bulls may refer to:*Bulls, the male of cattle*Bulls, New Zealand, Rangitikei township*Papal bulls, a charter issued by a popeIn sports:*Bulls , a rugby union franchise operated by the Blue Bulls...
)
Season standings
| Season | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | BP | Pts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 1996 Super 12 season The 1996 Super 12 season was the inaugural season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1996, with each team playing all the others once... |
10th | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 228 | 299 | ||||
| 4 | 16 | As Transvaal | |||||||||
| 1997 1997 Super 12 season The 1997 Super 12 season was the second season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1997, with each team playing all the others once... |
5th | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 302 | 346 | ||||
| 6 | 28 | As Gauteng Lions (Transvaal) | |||||||||
| 1998 1998 Super 12 season The 1998 Super 12 season was the third season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1998, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,... |
12th | 11 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 266 | 346 | ||||
| 7 | 15 | ||||||||||
| 1999 1999 Super 12 season The 1999 Super 12 season was the fourth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 1999, with each team playing all the others once... |
11th | 11 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 312 | 341 | ||||
| 6 | 22 | ||||||||||
| 2000 2000 Super 12 season The 2000 Super 12 season was the fifth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2000, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,... |
4th | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 320 | 334 | ||||
| 4 | 32 | Lost semi-final to ACT Brumbies | |||||||||
| 2001 2001 Super 12 season The 2001 Super 12 season was the sixth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2001, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,... |
3rd | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 285 | 244 | 6 | 34 | Lost semi-final to Sharks | |
| 2002 2002 Super 12 season The 2002 Super 12 season was the seventh season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2002, with each team playing all the others once... |
11th | 11 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 217 | 370 | ||||
| 2 | 6 | ||||||||||
| 2003 2003 Super 12 season The 2003 Super 12 season was the eighth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2003, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi... |
12th | 11 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 259 | 398 | ||||
| 4 | 12 | ||||||||||
| 2004 2004 Super 12 season The 2004 Super 12 season was the ninth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2004, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,... |
12th | 11 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 294 | 459 | ||||
| 7 | 11 | ||||||||||
| 2005 2005 Super 12 season The 2005 Super 12 season was the tenth season of the Super 12, contested by teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The season ran from February to May 2005, with each team playing all the others once. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams entered the playoff semi finals,... |
11th | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 226 | 326 | ||||
| 7 | 13 | ||||||||||
| 2006 2006 Super 14 season The 2006 Super 14 season started on Friday 10 February 2006. The Grand Final was held on Saturday 27 May 2006. Super 14 is a provincial rugby union competition with 14 teams from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. This season was the first of the expansion, which saw two new teams, the... |
13th | 13 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 220 | 405 | ||||
| 5 | 15 | ||||||||||
| 2007 2007 Super 14 season The 2007 Super 14 season started in February 2007 with preseason matches held from mid-January. It finished on 19 May with the final at ABSA Stadium in Durban, in the first final between two South African teams in the history of Super Rugby... |
12th | 13 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 175 | 284 | ||||
| 2 | 22 | ||||||||||
| 2008 2008 Super 14 season The 2008 Super 14 season started in February 2008 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 31 May, when the Crusaders won their seventh Super Rugby title with a 20–12 victory over the Waratahs in front of the Crusaders' home fans. The 2008 season was the third of the expansion,... |
14th | 13 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 206 | 367 | ||||
| 2 | 12 | ||||||||||
| 2009 2009 Super 14 season The 2009 Super 14 season kicked off in February 2009 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 30 May, when the Bulls won their second Super Rugby title with a decisive 61–17 victory over the Waikato Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. The 2009 season... |
12th | 13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 294 | 419 | ||||
| 9 | 25 | ||||||||||
| 2010 2010 Super 14 season The 2010 Super 14 season kicked off in February 2010 with pre-season matches held from mid-January. It finished on 29 May. The 2010 season was the fifth and last season of the expanded Super 14 format. The schedule, which covers 3½ months, featured a total of 94 matches, with each team playing one... |
14th | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 270 | 585 | ||||
| 5 | 5 | ||||||||||
| 2011 | 14th | 16 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 351 | 477 | ||||
| 7 | 29 | | |