Something has to change at the top if Lions are to shed their losers tag

LIONS supporters' spirits must have sunk when Johan Ackermann returned to South Africa from England - not to save their team, but to take over from Jake White at the Bulls.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Similarly, Swys de Bruin - Ackermann's sidekick during the Lions' heyday in Super Rugby - emerged from coaching isolation to lead the Springbok Women to World Cup success.

Both these coaches are Lions legends, and either would be appreciated at Ellis Park right now.

The Lions, in short, need a saviour. Another Currie Cup season ended in disappointment, despite fielding a full-strength squad, while the United Rugby Championship is off to a dismal start with three consecutive losses. They already look unlikely to make the Top 8, having never qualified for the playoffs since South Africa joined the URC in 2021. But it is not just that they are losing; it is the manner in which the defeats are happening.

At the weekend, in the loss to Benetton, the players at times looked

listless and bereft of ideas. There are top-quality players in this Lions team who are shadows of their former selves. They almost look disinterested.