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Do the Lions have the right to participate in the Bulls celebrations today?
This question will no doubt be considered extremely unlikely in the city of Jacaranda, as the Bulls begin to make room in their trophy cabinet for the Super Rugby Unlocked trophy, which they are sure to win today.
However, if one considers that four members of the Bulls management team have very strong roots in the Lions, then perhaps there are many reasons to suggest that Joburg’s franchise had a role to play in the Bulls’ latest success.
The four people we are referring to are Rugby Director Jake White, Forward Coach Russell Winter, Defense Coach Joey Mongalo and Chief Executive Officer Edgar Rathbone.
White, born Jacob Westerduin 56 years ago in Johannesburg, played rugby for Jeppe Boys High’s first team and later, as a teacher at the school, became Jeppe’s first team coach.
White made rapid progress and was forced to become the coach of the Lions provincial schools, where he also became involved in the Lions youth structures.
At the age of just 31, the late Springbok and Transvaal coach Kitch Christie appointed him as a video analyst during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and from there White’s career went from strength to strength.
The Bulls Winter forward coach is a former eighth and captain of the Lions and later became involved in coaching the U19 and U21 teams.
He was held in such high regard that the Stormers hired him to become their Super Rugby team’s forward coach before White lured him into the same position with the Bulls this year. And everyone should know by now how formidable the Bulls group has been this year.
Mongalo returned to Pretoria where he was a talented junior rugby and cricket player, but as a coach he made a name for himself when he succeeded JP Ferreira as defense coach for the Lions Super Rugby team.
He returned to his old Loftus turf when he answered White’s call earlier this year to get involved with the Bulls, who gave up just eight attempts in their five unlocked games this year.
Meanwhile, Rathbone has seen a rapid rise in administrative circles. He was first the financial manager at Ellis Park Stadium and then became the stadium’s managing director and his departure to the Bulls was considered a huge loss by the Lions.
So instead of envying the Bulls’ accomplishments, everyone should celebrate their success with them.
I know the Lions will feel that way too.
Rudolph jacobs
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