Ivan van Rooyen hails Lions' mental strength as team claim first SA Shield

By SABC Sport
1st March 2026

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen lauded his team's mental resilience following Saturday's 24-10 United Rugby Championship (URC) win over the Stormers at Ellis Park, a performance that secured the Johannesburg side their first-ever South African Shield.

"The mindset from our side does feel different," Van Rooyen said. "In the past, we would say we were good enough in one or two moments. Currently, we're finding ways in the game to swing it our way. The last 20 minutes was an immense defensive effort. Going down to 13 players was tough, but we managed to stop momentum because our body height and work rate were much better than in previous weeks. I was immensely proud of the effort and the fight."

The victory, combined with the Bulls' 41-12 win over the Sharks at Loftus, ensured the Lions topped the standings in their South African derbies, claiming the mini-competition within the URC. While the SA Shield is not a major trophy, it reflects the Lions' dominance over domestic rivals, with four wins and two bonus points from six local derbies.

Van Rooyen acknowledged that the performance was not perfect. "Our set piece didn't really operate today like we feel it can and wanted it to. But the biggest lesson we've learned is you have to find a way in the game. It will never be perfect, but we managed to swing it the other way," he said.

The Lions absorbed relentless Stormers pressure, with players adapting to challenging circumstances. Star scrumhalf Morne "Krappie" van den Berg shifted to the wing, while replacement Nico Steyn made a significant impact off the bench, highlighting a collective effort from all 23 players.

Currently seventh on the URC log, the Lions now aim to build on their strong form in South African derbies, which Van Rooyen believes could define their campaign. With four more tough home games in the run-in, the team is focused on maintaining momentum and pushing toward a first-ever playoff appearance.

"Pre-season, we spoke about being better and more consistent against South African teams because that's where we lost points in the past. I'm very proud of how we've grown over the last few weeks," Van Rooyen said.