Golden Lions

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This article is about South African rugby team. For the infantry division nicknamed the Golden Lions, see U.S. 106th Infantry Division.
Lions
Full name Golden Lions
Emblem Lion
Colours Red, White, Gold
Founded 1889
Sport Rugby union
League Currie Cup
Ground Ellis Park
Official website lionsrugby.co.za

The Golden Lions are the main rugby union for Johannesburg, South Africa, although they also represent a substantial portion of Gauteng Province—though not the Pretoria area, which is represented by the Blue Bulls, or the East Rand, represented by the Falcons. The team was originally named the Transvaal, but their name was changed to the Lions in 1993 and the Golden Lions in 1998. For sponsorship reasons, the team is also known as the Xerox Lions. The team plays at Ellis Park Stadium, and serves as the primary feeder for the Lions Super 14 franchise (renamed from the Cats in September 2006), which also plays at Ellis Park.

Contents

[edit] History

The Golden Lions were established in 1889, making them the fourth oldest team in South Africa. The team, originally named the Transvaal, played their first match on 31 August 1889 against the Griquas in Kimberley. They changed their name from 'Transvaal' to the 'Lions' in 1993, and then to the 'Golden Lions' in 1998.

The team won the Currie Cup for the first time in 1922, and won it again in 1939, 1950, 1952, 1972, 1993, 1994, and 1999. The Lions were undoubtedly the team of the 90's in South Africa. In 1971, they shared the trophy with the Blue Bulls in a 14-all draw. The Golden Lions narrowly missed out on the finals in the 2006 season, finishing fifth on the table. Due to a new coach Loffie Eloff. The Golden lions are currently 3rd on the 2007 Currie Cup log. The Golden Lions will be playing the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs in the final of the 2007 Currie Cup at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on 27th October 2007.

[edit] Contribution to The 1995 Rugby World Cup

A core base of players chosen to represent South Africa in the World Cup came from The Golden Lions. The list are as follows:

  • Gavin Johnson
  • Japie Mulder
  • Hennie le Roux
  • Christiaan Scholtz
  • Pieter Hendriks
  • Johan Roux
  • Rudolph Straeuli
  • Francois Pienaar - captain
  • Hannes Strydom
  • Kobus Wiese
  • Balie Swart
  • James Dalton
  • Chris Rossouw
  • Kitch Christie - coach
  • Dr. Frans Verster - Team Doctor

South Africa went onto win The Rugby World Cup.

[edit] Finals results

[edit] Currie Cup

Season Winners Score Runner-up Venue
1922 Transvaal n/a n/a n/a
1939 Transvaal 17 - 6 Western Province Newlands, Cape Town
1947 Western Province 16 - 12 Transvaal Newlands, Cape Town
1950 Transvaal 22 - 11 Western Province Ellis Park, Johannesburg
1952 Transvaal 11 - 9 Boland Wellington
1968 Northern Transvaal 16 - 3 Transvaal Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1971 Transvaal 14 - 14 Northern Transvaal Ellis Park, Johannesburg
1972 Transvaal 25 - 19 Falcons3 Pam Brink, Springs
1974 Northern Transvaal 17 - 15 Transvaal Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1986 Western Province 22 - 9 Transvaal Newlands, Cape Town
1987 Northern Transvaal 24 - 18 Transvaal Ellis Park, Johannesburg
1991 Blue Bulls 27 - 15 Transvaal Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1992 Natal Sharks 14 - 13 Transvaal Ellis Park, Johannesburg
1993 Transvaal 21 - 15 Natal Sharks Kings Park, Durban
1994 Transvaal 56 - 35 Orange Free State1 Springbok Park, Bloemfontein
1996 Natal Sharks 33 - 15 Golden Lions Ellis Park, Johannesburg
1999 Golden Lions 32 - 9 Natal Sharks Kings Park, Durban
2002 Blue Bulls2 31 - 7 Golden Lions Ellis Park, Johannesburg
2007 Free State Cheetahs 20 - 18 Golden Lions Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

[edit] 2007 Currie Cup Squad

Props

  • Bertus Smit
  • Kenny Mackenzie
  • Stef Roberts
  • Kobus Calldo
  • Jannie Du Plessis
  • Ollie Le Roux
  • C.J. van der Linde

Hookers

  • Gavin Williamson
  • Willie Wepener
  • Jaco Du Toit

Locks

  • Geo Cronje
  • Anton van Zyl
  • Flip van der Merwe
  • Rory Duncan
  • David de Villiers
  

Flankers

Number-Eights

Scrumhalves

Flyhalves

  

Centers

  • Jaque Fourie
  • Barry Goodes
  • Doppies la Grange
  • Hendrik Meyer
  • Warren de Bruin
  • Hein Myburgh

Wingers

  • Wylie Human
  • Tobela Mdaka
  • Philip Burger
  • Gavin Passens
  • Giscard Pieters

Fullbacks

  • Earl Rose
  • Louis Ludik
  • Alwyn Hollenbach

[edit] Notes

1 Orange Free State have since been renamed the Free State Cheetahs.
2 Northern Transvaal were renamed the Blue Bulls.
3 Falcons were originally known as Eastern Transvaal

[edit] External links

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