Ivan van Rooyen’s ‘LIV Golf’ vision for Lions as URC play-off dream nears

The day before the Lions beat Edinburgh 54-17 at Ellis Park, Ivan van Rooyen visited the LIV golf tournament at Steyn City. He says he was wide-eyed and inspired by the scale of the well-supported extravaganza put on by Johannesburg.

“I popped into the LIV golf and saw what an event like that could do for the city,” Van Rooyen said. 

"It got me thinking about what the Lions could do (if successful). We would love to do something similar for Joburg. The energy and the professionalism of the event were incredible.

“We would love to mirror that,” the coach added.

“When you are at that level, you get the people back, you can change the economy in the area, you can make a difference. I am up for that.”

After years of struggle — the Lions have yet to make the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs — Van Rooyen has earned the right to think big. The form of "The Pride" suggests a litany of false dawns is behind them, and that their upward trajectory will take them beyond their victory in the SA Shield, deep into the URC play-offs, and beyond.

The Lions are in seventh place on the URC log, uncharted waters for them, with five rounds to go. They have played 13, drawn one, and won seven. Four of those victories are from their six matches against South African opposition that in every match were tipped to beat the Lions.

They have comfortably won their last three matches, against the Sharks, Stormers, and Edinburgh.

Van Rooyen can be forgiven for sharing some introspection after embarrassing the more-fancied local opposition to land the SA Shield.

“For the last 20 years I have been at the (senior) Lions, but it is more like 25,” he smiled.

“In 2001, I started as a Under-19 player. It would be arrogant of me to say I have gone full circle. I guess I have just been blessed to be here at different stages of my career.

“What excites me at each training session, and gives me energy, is seeing that the guys feel like something to be a Lion. I am very proud of that.”

In 2009, Van Rooyen began an administrative role with the Lions U19s.

“I experienced growth from there toward the seniors in 2012. That was another journey and a special time. Then Covid hit us, and we lost 42 senior players. We had to start over,” the coach reflected.

“Three years ago, we decided to start with an exciting young group that we could build a future around. Hopefully, we are seeing the fruits of that now. I’m just immensely proud of the guys who want to wear this badge and stand for something special and move forward.

“It hasn’t been easy and I’m looking great for 23, a lot of wrinkles and grey hair, but there never being a dull moment is what it is about,” Van Rooyen laughed.

Van Rooyen said that centurion Morné van den Berg symbolises what it means to be a Lion.

“He’s that Lions guy,” Van Rooyen said.

“Krappie came through all the systems, didn’t have a contract, worked his socks off to get a contract, didn’t make the team initially, then went to the bench. Today he’s got Springbok caps.

“Morne is a great team guy, with character, and willingness to fight for every inch for the team,” he said. “He keeps everyone honest with his work rate and the small things.

“We had a moment after the match where he said, ‘Thank you for giving me every one of those 100 caps,’” he said. “And then he said, ‘Hopefully there are 100 more.’”

Van Rooyen concluded: “Looking back is nice, but every ounce of focus is going into the Dragons this week because if we fall short against them, the pressure changes again. The top eight is everything — it means Europe and so much more.”