The Golden Lions Rugby Union has named their CONTRACTED SQUAD for 2015. They also boast 4 Ex-Springboks amongst the Management and Coaching staff.

Kevin de Klerk, Rudolf Staeuli, Ashwin Willemse and Johan Ackerman, all Ex-Springboks are all in important positions at the Golden Lions Rugby Union, from President down to Head Coach.

Contracted Players:

The Golden Lions Rugby Union (GLRU) has announced its new contracted player list for the 2015 season.

While financial constraints remain a challenge for the Lions, retaining talent remains their main priority. This is not unheard of as all South African unions have suffered financial constraints and must content with increasing pressure from the lucrative European and Japanese markets.

With the GLRU not yet covered by a title sponsor, the union has secured the input of several valuable partners to assist in the procurement process. Through building stronger relationships with stakeholders, the Lions put on a record-breaking Super Rugby showing, after the franchise’s return to top flight competition in 2014.

They finished the Super Rugby season in 12th spot, but surprised many pundits with their seven victories, capped by a 60-25 thrashing of the Cheetahs last weekend.

An established buy-in value system from coaching staff, players and management has seen the Lions secure the services of both top-class experienced and up-and-coming players.

SENIOR PLAYERS

Via their official website, the Lions unveiled the following contracted players for the 2015 season:

• Marnitz Boshoff
• Fabian Booysen
• Andries Coetzee
• Robbie Coetzee
• Ruan Combrink
• Ross Cronje
• Ruan Dreyer
• JP du Plessis
• Stokkies Hanekom
• Deon Helberg
• Alwyn Hollenbach
• Elton Jantjies
• Jaco Kriel
• Ruaan Lerm
• MB Lusaseni
• Lionel Mapoe
• Derek Minnie
• Franco Mostert
• Tyson Mulamba
• Martin Muller
• Mark Pretorius
• Julian Redelinghuys
• Ricky Schroeder
• Courtnall Skosan
• Warwick Tecklenburg
• Schalk van der Merwe
• Schalk van Heerden (new signing)
• Jacques van Rooyen
• Armand van der Merwe (new signing)
• Anthony Volmink
• Willie Wepener
• Warren Whitely
• Vainon Willis

*All current Under-21 players and the players from other unions are not all included in this list due to on-going negotiations.

The following SA Under-20 players will also remain part of the Golden Lions:

• Malcolm Marx
• Cyle Brink
• Victor Sekekete
• Thabo Mabuza
• Ramone Samuels

JUNIOR PLAYERS

The Lions also secured and recruited top junior players for 2015.

Players from the GLRU region:

• Juan Lemmer (Eighthman – HS Monument – Lions Cravenweek 2014)
• Gavin Delport (Flanker – HS Monument – Lions Cravenweek 2014 Captain)
• Vean Roodt (Hooker – HS Monument – Blue Bulls Cravenweek 2013) (U/20 in 2015)
• Tshepo Thulo (Centre – Jeppe Boys High – Lions Cravenweek 2013 and 2014

The GLRU is currently in negotiations with and will look to sign the following junior players from outside the GLRU region:

• Sarel Smit (Prop – HS Eldoraigne – Bulls Craven Week 2014)
• Marco van Vuuren (Scrumhalf – SA Schools 2013 – Falcons Craven Week 2014; SA Schools Sevens 2014)
• Le Roux Roets (Lock – HS Garsfontein) (U/20 in 2015)
• Ruan Ackermann (Flanker – HS Garsfontein) (U/20 in 2015)
• Le Roux Baard (Hooker – HS Outeniqua – SWD Craven Week Captain 2013 and 2014)
• Anton Smith (Lock – HS Outeniqua – SWD Craven Week 2013 and 2014)
• Kenny van Niekerk (Prop – Glenwood High – Craven Week Sharks 2014)
• Driaan Bester (Lock/flanker – HTS Middelburg – Craven Week Pumas 2014)
• Koos Tredoux (Prop – Glenwood High – Craven Week Sharks 2013 & 2014)
• Hendrik Mulder (Flyhalf – HS Centurion – Academy Week – Bulls 2014)
• Jo-Hanko de Villiers (Eighthman – HS Eldoraigne – Bulls U/19 – 2014)
• Wynand Botha (Scrumhalf – HS Eldoraigne – 2014)
• Basil Polydorou (Hooker – HS Waterkloof – 2014)
• Martin van Wyk (Fullback – HS EG Jansen – 2014 – Craven Week Falcons 2014)

4 Springboks in Management:

The Lions are in a fortunate position to have four former Springbok stars at their helm.

The Lions’ official website reports that GLRU president Kevin de Klerk, CEO Rudolf Straeuli, Executive Committee member Ashwin Willemse and head coach Johan Ackermann – all previous Golden Lions / Transvaal and Springbok players – have joined forces to take the union to new heights.

The most senior member of the trio is De Klerk, who took control of the Transvaal scrum at lock for 14 years from 1971 to 1984. He returned to the GLRU as president in 2009.

As a player, De Klerk was known for his physicality and no-nonsense approach. He made his Test debut in June 1974 and played his last game for the Springboks in 1981, aged 31. He played 107 matches in a Transvaal jersey and scored 26 tries.

De Klerk is a passionate rugby man, who has truly led from the front and devoted his life to Golden Lions rugby. Such passion is a rare commodity – but luckily for the Lions, new GLRU CEO Straeuli possesses the same trait.

Straeuli not only played for the Springboks between 1994 and 1995 but coached the team for 23 Tests from 2002.

He joined the Golden Lions in 1993 and played for the union until 1996. During that time, he evidently made his Springbok debut but also won the 1995 Rugby World Cup with the Springboks at his home ground Ellis Park.

Straeuli earned 61 caps for the Golden Lions and captained the side on 14 occasions. He returned to the union in 2013 as the General Manager of Professional Rugby but recently was promoted to the position of CEO – his experience and drive largely unparalleled.

Both De Klerk and Straeuli have great corporate acumen and will make a strong pairing as they lead the GLRU business into the future.

Additionally, one of many prominent members within the current GLRU Exco, Willemse also contributes to this wealth of knowledge and experience.

Willemse played for the Cats from 2003. He made his Springbok debut against Scotland in 2003 and was named the SA Rugby Player of the Year within the same year.

Willemse was coached by Straeuli and participated in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok squad. In all he earned 19 caps for South Africa and scored 25 points.

He returned to the GLRU as an Exco member in 2013.

Finally, there is head coach Ackermann who, at 1.98m and weighing 115kg during his playing career, impressed with his versatile skills set, robustness and impressive leadership traits at lineout time.

Ackermann, who was 26 years old when he made his Test debut against Fiji in Pretoria, was known for his feistiness in the tight-loose.

Ackermann joined the Lions in 1999, where he shone in the Vodacom Cup and played for the Cats in Super Rugby. He stayed at the union for three seasons and played 31 matches.

Ackermann held two impressive records until recently: He was the oldest player to represent the Springboks (37 years and 34 days) and was also the oldest South African player to participate in Super Rugby (37 years and 272 days). The latter record remains intact, while the former was only recently broken by Victor Matfield as he ran out for the Springboks against Wales on June 21.

Ackermann re-joined the GLRU in 2010 as an assistant coach to Dick Muir but was promoted to the head coach role in 2012.

Looking to the future, it is exciting to be able to continue the Ackermann legacy at the GLRU, as the union has recently contracted Ackermann’s eldest son, Ruan.

Ruan Ackermann, 19, is a member of the current rugby powerhouse Garsfontein’s 1st XV side. He has played provincial rugby from Under-13 level and will no doubt look to walk in the footsteps of his father, on merit, as he runs out for the Golden Lions U19s.

Expectantly, the pride of all of these great Golden Lions and Springbok men will filter down into all involved at the GLRU. From senior players, staff and supporters to new recruits such as Ruan Ackermann – the union can certainly look forward to a bright future.