Sports
Can the Lions Pull Off a Miracle? URC Playoffs Now Out of Reach
The Emirates Lions are holding on to a slim thread of hope after their latest defeat to Benetton effectively shut the door on a top-eight Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) finish. Despite a brave showing, the Johannesburg side now finds itself staring at another season of disappointment.
Their goal of a top-four finish is long gone, and even with maximum points from their remaining three matches, the most they can reach is 46. That’s unlikely to be enough, considering last season they ended ninth with 50 points — and still missed out due to points difference.
While the log remains tight and mathematically a playoff berth is still possible, the Lions’ current five-match losing streak makes that prospect highly unlikely. The last few weeks have exposed serious flaws in the team’s strategy, squad depth, and coaching direction.
Since coach Ivan van Rooyen took over six seasons ago, the team has consistently underperformed, with a win ratio below 50%. They’ve yet to crack the top eight, raising questions about recruitment decisions and the club’s long-term vision.
Currie Cup Gamble Backfires
Part of the Lions’ struggle stems from their early commitment to the Currie Cup, which stretched their already limited squad. While they reached the domestic final, the extra workload appears to have come at a cost — leaving them fatigued and thin during a crucial URC period.
Van Rooyen, however, remains hopeful: “We are still alive, but we need to be better. I believe we can still make the playoffs. The table is close, and teams are playing each other.”
The Lions’ inability to match the physical intensity of teams like the Bulls, Sharks, Glasgow, and Benetton has also been a recurring problem. Their attempt to play wide without earning the right through direct play has backfired repeatedly.
Against Benetton, they conceded penalties in quick succession, lacked ruck urgency, and gave up momentum early. Though they managed to score four tries and earn a bonus point, Van Rooyen admitted the team needed other results to go their way. Even if they pull off three bonus-point wins, their quarterfinal reward would likely be an away clash against one of the URC’s giants: Leinster, Glasgow, or the Bulls — all of whom have comfortably beaten the Lions this season.
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Sourced:Super Sport
