After suffering back-to-back, last-gasp heartbreak in the previous two finals, the Lions are gearing up for another shot at the Currie Cup. Head coach Mzwakhe Nkosi reflects on what it takes to get over the final hurdle as they prepare to blood a exciting new generation of talent in Bloemfontein. Photo: Backpagepix
The Lions arguably enter the 2026 Currie Cup season as one of the favourites to lift the coveted old trophy and will be keen to fulfil the promise of the last two seasons prior, where they came desperately short of claiming the championship.
Last year, the Joburgers were exceptional during the league phase to finish top of the Cup standings, only to succumb in the final to a late penalty kick in a 27-25 loss to eventual champions the Griquas. A year earlier, a similar script unfolded as the Lions lost to the Sharks—also with a last-gasp penalty.
Although the Doornfontein-based side fell agonisingly short at the final hurdle, Lions coach Mzwakhe Nkosi does not view those seasons negatively, as the side prepares to start the new season on Sunday against the Free State Cheetahs (kick-off 1pm) in Bloemfontein.
“We don't see the two seasons as failures,” said Nkosi, at training earlier this week. “To have lost one game in each season is not a failure by any stretch of the imagination.
