The Lions can’t finish higher than 11th on the log this season and comfortably off the points needed for a place in the URC top eight.
Lions powerhouse prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye admits that the players have to start taking some responsibility for their poor season, as they prepare to end another United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign outside the playoffs when they host Ospreys at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.
It is now four straight URC campaigns that the Lions have been unable to break into the top eight, and after just missing out the past couple of seasons, finishing ninth on both occasions, and last year being pipped on games won, this season has been a big step back.
If the Lions go down against Ospreys it will be their lowest ever finish on the URC log, below the 12th place they managed in their inaugural season, and regardless of how many points they pick up in the game, it will be their lowest ever points tally in the URC.
It is thus bitterly disappointing to see the Lions languishing near the bottom of the table, especially after setting very lofty goals for the current season, and the least they can do is finish on a high and give their fans something to shout about, while also setting a platform for next season.
Good and shocking
“There were times when we were good, but there were also times when the performances were shocking,” admitted Ntlabakanye about their season.
“Players can’t control what happens off the field, but it is clear that on the pitch things need to change. We need to improve immensely next season and perform a whole lot better. As players we have to take responsibility for this season.
“We are the ones that step onto the field. Our coaches come up with plans and on a Saturday it is our job to execute them. We have to take huge responsibility as to why this season hasn’t gone according to plan.
“We had ambitions as a squad to finish in the top eight and qualify for the Champions Cup, which we haven’t done before. To fall short of those goals is majorly disappointing. We weren’t at the level where we performed the way we wanted to week in and week out.”
The Lions haven’t beaten Ospreys in their last three games against the Welsh side, so getting a good win over them will be a positive and a start, but plenty will still need to be done in the off season to try and rectify what has been an incredibly poor campaign that started out so well.
