Golden Lions
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| 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.
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[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
[edit] 2007 Currie Cup Squad
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[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
- Official club website - lionsrugby.co.za
- sarugby.net
- transvaal.co.za
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