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History of Transvaal
The Transvaal rugby union was founded in 1889, which makes it the 4th oldest rugby union in South Africa.
The first rugby match by Transvaal was played on Saturday, 31 August 1889
against Griquas in Kimberley. Transvaal played it's home fixtures at the
Wanderers until 1928, when Ellis Park was used for the first time.
This is a photo of the Transvaal side that played Griquas in 1907.
The area where Ellis Park is situated was identified in 1927, and the TRFU
negotiated with Mr JD Ellis (after whom Ellis Park was named) from the
Johannesburg City Council, who made 13 acres of land available, and building
commenced. The stadium was built in 8 months, and was used for the first
time in 1928.
Ellis Park was upgraded to a modern stadium during 1980 and 1981, when
matches were played at the Wanderers again, and currently has a capacity of
62500.
The name of the union was changed from Transvaal to the Lions in 1993 and to
the Golden Lions in 1998.
The very last team that played as Transvaal was the team that played against an
Italian XV on a tour match on 25 November 1992.
Recent events:
On 17 May 2006 Eugene Eloff was appointed as coach of the Lions, replacing Frans
Ludeke, who moved to the Bulls.
On 3 September 2007 Manie Reyneke replaced Andy Turner as Lions CEO. Turner
resigned on 15 January 2007.
On 4 February 2008 Auto & General announced a three year sponsorship deal worth
R30m with the Lions.
On 3 July 2008 Coca-Cola came on board as the naming rights sponsor for Ellis
Park, a 4.5 year deal rumoured to be worth R45m.
On 25 March 2009 forwards coach Leon Boshoff was accused of making racial
remarks but found not guilty in a hearing. He still ended up getting relieved
from his contract with the Lions.
On May 27 2009 Eugene Eloff was asked to step down as coach and Hans Coetzee was
appointed as caretaker coach in his place.
On June 10 2009 the President Jannie Ferreira and Vice-President Manie Reyneke
stepped down after facing a pressure group consisting of former players and all
21 clubs. Reyneke did stay on as CEO of the Lions.
At the end of October 2009 the Lions elected a new President, Kevin de Klerk,
while Dick Muir was appointed as coach on a three year contract.
On April 26 2010 I heard through the grapevine that Lions CEO Manie Reyneke
decided to revoke the media accrediation of LionsWorld, this supporter website.
On May 17 2010 it was announced that Dick Muir was axed as Lions coach and that
John Mitchell would replace him.
On 20 January 2011 MTN was named as new sponsor for the Lions for the 2011 to
2013 seasons.
On 29 October 2011 the Lions won the Currie cup for the first time since 1999
when they beat the Sharks 42-16 at Ellis Park. The CEO, Manie Reyneke also left
the union at the end of October 2011 to join Stadium Management SA, the company
that manages the FNB stadium.
On 10 February 2012 Redefine Properties came on board as a sponsor for the 2012
to 2014 seasons.
During June 2012 coach John Mitchell was suspended after player complaints,
and he was temporarily replaced by Johan Ackermann. In November 2012 Mitchell's
job was changed to a consultancy role and Johan Ackermann named new head coach.
On 16 August 2012 the general council of Saru voted the Lions out of Super Rugby
with a majority of 23-6. It later transpired that the only two unions that
supported the Lions were the Bulls and the Sharks.
On 5 December 2012 the Lions announced that Manie Booysen will be the new CEO
starting in January 2013.
Honours:
Super 10: 1993
Currie Cup (9): 1922, 1939, 1950, 1952, 1971 (shared), 1972, 1993, 1994,
1999, 2011.
Lion Cup (5): 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994
Vodacom Cup (4): 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004
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