- Golden Lions
Infobox_esl_club | clubname = Lions
fullname = "Golden Lions"
emblem =Lion
colours = Red, White, Gold
founded = 1889
sport =Rugby union
league =Currie Cup
Currie Cup Titles = 9
ground =Ellis Park
web = [http://www.lionsrugby.co.za lionsrugby.co.za]The Golden Lions are the main
rugby union forJohannesburg ,South Africa , although they also represent a substantial portion ofGauteng Province —though not thePretoria area, which is represented by theBlue Bulls , nor Ekurhuleni, represented by the Falcons. The team was originally named 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 theXerox Lions. The team plays atEllis Park Stadium , and serves as the primary feeder for the LionsSuper 14 franchise (renamed from the Cats in September 2006), which also plays at Ellis Park.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 theBlue 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 VodacomFree State Cheetahs in the final of the 2007Currie Cup at Vodacom Park inBloemfontein on 27th October 2007.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 DoctorSouth Africa went onto win The
Rugby World Cup .Finals results
Currie Cup
2007 Currie Cup Squad
Notes
1 Orange Free State have since been renamed to the Free State Cheetahs.
2 Northern Transvaal was renamed to the Blue Bulls.
3 The Falcons were originally known as Eastern Transvaal.External links
* Official club website - [http://www.lionsrugby.co.za lionsrugby.co.za]
* [http://www.sarugby.net sarugby.net]
* [http://www.transvaal.co.za/ transvaal.co.za]
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