Give the Lions to the might of Heyneke Meyer, insist the fans

We asked South Africa’s rugby fans if Heyneke Meyer is the man to fix the Lions and make them Vodacom United Rugby Championship champions – and the answer was emphatically YES!

Earlier this week I wrote an opinion piece, motivating why former Bulls Super Rugby title-winning and Springboks World Cup bronze medal winner Meyer should be involved in South Africa’s rugby landscape. I detailed his career achievements and identified the Lions as the professional team that most needs his services.

The apathy at the Lions, in not having made advancements in their four seasons in the Vodacom URC, can’t be tolerated. At least, that is my view if the sleeping giants are to be woken sometime soon.

We put my view to the fans and polled on the Keo & Zels Show WhatsApp Channel, Keo.co.za and the SA Rugby Magazine WhatsApp Channel.

SA Rugby Mag

Keo & Zels

The response was emphatic and overwhelming. More than 5000 voted in 24 hours and 86 percent were in favour of Meyer been given the task ion fixing the Lions and making them great again.

KEO: PUT HEYNEKE MEYER IN CHARGE OF THE LIONS

HEYNEKE MEYER’S SPRINGBOK RECORD

My man would be Meyer, who in 48 Tests for the Boks, won 32 and drew two.

He won the Bulls first Super Rugby title in 2007.

A reminder of his coaching pedigree

1997 SWD Eagles (Asst. Coach)

1998–2000 SWD Eagles (Head Coach)

1999 Stormers (Forwards Coach)

1999 Emerging Springboks

1999–2001 South Africa (Springboks Forwards Coach)

2000 Bulls

2000–2001 Blue Bulls (Asst. Coach – Currie Cup)

2001 Blue Bulls (Head Coach – Vodacom Cup)

2002 Bulls

2002–2007

Blue Bulls (Head Coach – Currie Cup)2003–2004

Blue Bulls (Head Coach – Vodacom Cup)2005–2007

Bulls (Head coach – Super Rugby) 2008–2009

Leicester Tigers

2012–2015

South Africa (Head Coach Springboks)

2017 Asia Pacific Dragons

2018–2019 Stade Français

2021 Director of Rugby for the Houston Sabercats of MLR.

*Meyer won World Cup bronze with the Springboks (as forwards coach) in 1999 and bronze again (as head coach) in 2015.

• Rugby World Cup / Webb Ellis Cup
  • Third: 2015
• The Rugby Championship
  • Runners-up: 2013, 2014
• Mandela Challenge Plate
  • Winners: 2013, 2014
• Prince William Cup
  • Winners: 2013, June 2014
• South African quadrangular tournament
  • Winners: 2013^[15]

South Africa (as assistant coach)

• Rugby World Cup / Webb Ellis Cup
  • Third: 1999

Bulls

• Super 14
  • Winners: 2007

Blue Bulls

• Currie Cup
  • Winners: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 (shared with Free State Cheetahs)
  • Runners-up: 2005
• Vodacom Cup
  • Winners: 2001
  • Runners-up: 2003, 2004