The Fidelity SecureDrive Lions entered the 2025-26 season believing they were capable of more. After several years of promise without a playoff appearance, the Johannesburg-based franchise finally delivered on that potential under the guidance of Ivan van Rooyen.
For his work transforming the Lions into one of the United Rugby Championship's most improved teams, Van Rooyen has been named the BKT Coach of the Season. The award, voted on by the league's head coaches and directors of rugby, recognizes the individual who made the greatest impact from the touchline during the campaign.
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The honor comes after a season that saw the Lions qualify for the URC playoffs for the first time while also securing a place in next season's Investec Champions Cup. Just as importantly, they did it playing an ambitious brand of rugby that turned them into one of the competition's most entertaining teams.
For Van Rooyen, the recognition is the latest milestone in a project that has steadily gathered momentum and now appears capable of competing with the league's established powers.
A Remarkable Climb Up The Standings
The scale of the Lions' improvement becomes clear when comparing this season to the last.
A year ago, the franchise finished 11th in the standings after winning eight of its 18 matches and collecting 40 points. This season, the Lions increased their win total to 10 while adding a draw, finishing with 54 points and earning a long-awaited playoff berth.
That 14-point improvement was among the biggest jumps made by any team in the competition and reflected the growing maturity of a squad that has developed together over several seasons.
The progress was not limited to the standings, either. The Lions increasingly looked like a side capable of challenging anyone in the league on a given weekend.
One Of The URC's Most Dangerous Attacks
While the Lions became more consistent throughout the season, their identity was built around an exciting attacking game.
The team scored 532 points during the regular season, the second-highest total in the URC, while their 73 tries ranked third overall. Week after week, the Lions demonstrated a willingness to play with ambition and attack from anywhere on the field.
That style not only produced results but also helped establish the Lions as one of the competition's most watchable teams.
Their ability to combine structure with creativity became a defining characteristic of the Van Rooyen era and one of the primary reasons they earned so much respect throughout the league.
South African Shield Highlights Progress
Among the season's biggest achievements was winning the South African Shield.
The Lions finished with four victories in six domestic derby matches, including notable away wins against both the Vodacom Bulls and Hollywoodbets Sharks. Success in those fiercely contested fixtures provided further evidence that the team had taken a significant step forward.
Those performances helped elevate the Lions from a dangerous outsider to a legitimate contender capable of competing with South Africa's strongest franchises.
The accomplishment also carried extra significance given the quality of opposition faced throughout the Shield campaign.
Building Success Through Consistency
Van Rooyen credited the team's improvement to a clear identity and alignment throughout the organization.
Rather than focusing solely on results, the Lions concentrated on establishing a consistent process and ensuring players and coaches shared the same vision. As the squad gained experience, that approach began producing increasingly positive results on the field.
The combination of continuity, player development and a commitment to attacking rugby created one of the season's most compelling success stories.
For that work, Van Rooyen was recognized by his peers as the URC's Coach of the Season, an award that reflects both what the Lions accomplished this year and the direction the franchise appears to be heading.
How To Watch Leinster Rugby Vs. Vodacom Bulls
The 2026 BKT URC Grand Final between Leinster Rugby and the Vodacom Bulls will stream live on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States.
Replays, highlights and breaking news from the championship match will also be available on FloRugby throughout Grand Final week.
2026 BKT URC Grand Final
- Leinster Rugby vs. Vodacom Bulls
- Date: Friday, June 19, 2026
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Croke Park, Dublin
- Streaming: FloRugby (United States)
Watch Rugby All Season Long On FloRugby
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The winner of the June 19 Grand Final will lift the BKT URC trophy and bring the curtain down on another memorable season in one of rugby's most competitive professional leagues.