'Fremdscham' in Johannesburg: The 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 comeback 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.