Ivan Van Rooyen calls for consistency ahead of new URC season

The Lions made history in the United Rugby Championship (URC) last season, qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition for the first time in their fifth attempt. 

However, they lost to Leinster in the quarterfinals, a side they will face in the new season opener at Ellis Park Stadium next week Saturday.

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport at the Lions’ 2026-27 season launch at The Old Fort Constitutional Hill on Thursday, Van Rooyen says despite the challenges ahead, it is important for the team to remain as close as possible to their identity. 

"We've worked extremely hard in preseason, today was officially the last day of preseason for us. The season starts next week, hopefully we can keep on building on the momentum we had at the end of last season, keep on building on the performance we had against the All Blacks,” van Rooyen said.  

“There is a real excitement in the camp of where we are and where we feel we can go. Our challenge will be consistency and just deal with whatever the challenges whether it's home or away or travel, see how close we can get to our identity."

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The Lions will face the 2025-26 URC champions, Leinster, in their opening game of the season. 

It will be their third meeting this year, having also faced each other in May, when the Irish beat the Johannesburg-based team 31-7 before meeting in the quarterfinals where Leinster secured a 69-10 victory en-route to claiming the title. 

Leinster hold a 4-1 head-to-head record against the Lions. Van Rooyen says he has followed their pre-season preparations and believes they will arrive in Johannesburg with a strong team, warning that his players will need to find their feet quickly. 

"Yeah, they are a quality team, quality squad, they've got class all over so whether they bring their international players or not the international players they'll be extremely well coached,” he added.

“We know that they've got a big rushed defense, one bad decision on defence and they'll expose you. 

“So, just looking at the preseason games, they look really sharp, really quick. So, we know that they're gonna arrive here with a decent team and unbelievable structure so we'll have to find our feet quickly."