'Fremdscham' in Johannesburg: Lions' season unravels in slow motion

EVERY so often, you get to watch a disaster unfold in slow motion right in front of you. Inevitably, you think to yourself, there must be a German word or phrase to encapsulate the experience.

- MORGAN BOLTON

Like Treppenwitz - that moment when you think of the perfect come-back just a little too late - or Backpfeifengesicht, which describes the urge you feel to look down on someone with a punchable face.

Perhaps the German word that best describes the Lions over the past two months, however, is Fremdscham - which literally translates to "strangely ashamed" and in English aligns most closely with second-hand embarrassment.

Now, it is well established in newsprint that I am a massive Lions fan, so we won't rehash those details. Needless to say, though, the last few weeks have been tough. It's been a period of wild oscillations in form and performance - a run that has seen the Lions' season crumble into mediocrity.

Why, it was only at the beginning of March when we all marvelled at the viciousness of the Johannesburg-based team, as they eviscerated a Springbok-laden Sharks XV in a first-half blitz at Ellis Park. That outing had many turning towards the non-believers with a smug smile, a raised eyebrow, and a chuffed expression.