Super Rugby's "nearly men" over the past few seasons are almost a spent force. At least, that's how the pessimists have typecast the Lions.
The losing finalists in the last two editions of Super Rugby are increasingly becoming victims of their own relative success, with their players becoming targets for clubs north of the equator. It has given rise to the perception that their time in the sun is nearing an end.
They will in the coming days formally announce who will leave the franchise, but already the toll over the last year has been considerable.
Last year the Lions lost their coach Johan Ackerman, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, flank Ruan Ackermann, hooker Akker van der Merwe and flyhalf Jaco van der Walt.
More defections are on the cards with centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg, prop Ruan Dreyer and flank Jaco Kriel's departure confirmed, but prop Jacques van Rooyen, lock Franco Mostert and fullback Andries Coetzee are believed to be sitting in the departure lounge. Flyhalf Elton Jantjies and centre Lionel Mapoe may be heading that way too.
With the two-week transfer window closing this weekend, Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli was loath to reveal who is en route to the exit and who will remain. "I don't want to say anything ahead of our game (against the Bulls). Let's get into the play-offs first," said Straeuli.What Lions fans will be asking with angst is whether the latest defections will set in motion a precipitous decline for South Africa's standard- bearers in Super Rugby.
"No, I don't believe so," countered captain Warren Whiteley. "We have incredible youngsters. We've been fortunate to win the u-19 tournament the last two years. We have prepared for this by getting good juniors involved."
While acknowledging fast-tracking players has its perils, Whiteley was bullish that the franchise can go through another seamless transition.
"There will be a few hiccups because these guys will need to get experience. That takes time. We've seen guys coming through this year. We've seen Aphiwe (Dyantyi) become a Springbok in 11 Super Rugby games. We've got guys who performed brilliantly in the junior World Cup. I'm excited for the future of the union."
Some of the junior World Cup stars Whiteley was speaking of include Tyrone Green, Jack Hart, Wandisile Simelane, Gianni Lombard, Manny Rass, PJ Steenkamp, Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Ruan Vermaak. Some, however, are already in the crosshairs of other unions.
"We need to cherish those youngsters," said Whiteley. "We need to hold on to some of the experienced players and slowly filter those youngsters through."
Whiteley believes the youngsters need to be and are being embraced. "At the union you'll see u-19s, u-21s and Super Rugby players all mingling, gymming together, all sharing the same space. At other unions it's not like that.
"We like to integrate, to get to know each other. We like to come watch the juniors play and support them. That is really important. We want to make them feel comfortable so that they can be the best they can be. You don't want a young guy to walk into an environment and feel intimidated and act out of fear. There is no way he can play his best rugby that way."To be fair, the Lions have learnt to deal with departures.
From the end of the 2014 season they have suffered significant player losses. Lock Franco van der Merwe, prop Schalk van der Merwe, loose forward Willie Britz, flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff, flank Derrick Minnie (retirement), prop Julian Redelinghuys (forced retirement), flank Warwick Tecklenburg (retirement) and centre Alwyn Hollenbach (forced retirement) have all moved on.
"Things change. People leave. Things happen. It is so important to enjoy that moment for what it is. People move on and we wish them well," said Whiteley...