World Footy News

The South African Lions have arrived in Australia as part of an extended build up to the AFL International Cup.

The Africans were the rising stars of 2008 as they rose up the ladder to 3rd spot.  This time around sees a fresh faced list (along with some returning warriors).  The Lions have been steadily building relationships in Western Australia and that has been boosted by a special partnership with WAFL side the Swan Districts Football Club.

As part of their support the South Africans have played a combined Pilbara representative side, although the result was very much one-sided.  The Lions arrived in Perth on Friday July 29 for a 12 day development tour which will include two practice matches and a series of training sessions and coaching workshops, all under the watchful eye of Swan Districts FC.  The Lions' first game on Saturday (July 30) was a curtain-raiser to a WAFL fixture between Swan Districts and East Fremantle in the remote community of Karratha in the State’s far north, around 1500km north of Perth.

Thanks also to Darren Moncrieff at Aboriginal Football for giving us a lead on this story.

The brainchild of former Swans CEO Brendan Parker, who helped the SA Lions prepare for the 2008 International Cup, the Lions tour of WA provides a real opportunity for the players to develop and learn from experienced campaigners such as Swans Development Coach & Talent Manager Adrian Hickmott.

The Lions were overpowered by a strong North Pilbara Under 21 rep team, who ran out comfortable winners by 80 points, but the result was not nearly as important as the opportunity that the Swans have provided for a new look SA Lions team to gain valuable match practise and experience another part of the world, in the lead-up to the all important International Cup.

The 2011 Lions squad of 28 includes 19 new faces from the 2008 line-up, evidence of an emerging crop of exciting new players groomed through the footyWILD program, across 4 Provinces of South Africa.  It should be noted that 7 players have not yet joined the group, so the team was not at full strength.

“After a long haul flight from South Africa via Kuala Lumpur to Perth on Friday and an early flight to Karratha on Saturday morning, our boys were a very tired bunch after the tough game against a superior Pilbara team,” said Tour Leader Phindile Khambule.

“But they’ll be much better for the run and we’re looking forward to running a footyWILD clinic in the area tomorrow, before heading back to Perth for a week of training and coaching sessions with Swan Districts who have been fantastic in their support so far”, said Phindi. “We will learn heaps and bond together as a team before we head to Sydney”.

The Lions next game will be against a combined Swans Colts & Reserves team next Saturday Aug 6 in Perth to coincide with the Swans Bye round. Joining the Lions for the week ahead, will be star player Bayanda Sobetwa from Khayelitsha township near Cape Town and Kwa Zulu Natal rover Mlungisi Manyoni who will be a late arrival from South Africa.

“Bayanda has been playing with Port Melbourne FC under Chris Johnson in the VFL and will add plenty of strength and knowledge to an exciting Lions group we are hoping will improve on their third placing from 2008,” said Lions Head Coach Stewart Edge.

Edge who is currently working with Greater Western Sydney as a Development Coach and has been involved with the SA Lions since 2008, will join the squad in Sydney for the opening round of IC11.


Game 1 in Karratha, WA
North Pilbara U21 16.13 (109) def South Africa Lions 4.5 (29)

SA Lions
Goal Kickers- Benjamin Motuba 2, Athenkosi Madikane 1, Tshepiso Mogapi 1
Best Players – Tshepiso Mogapi, Thando Dlamini, Malibongwe Mlami