RUGBY NEWS - A look at the finishing standings of the 2017 edition of Vodacom Super Rugby does not tell the full story of the effort put in by most of the South African teams to embrace a more dynamic and adventurous playing style.
The Lions were the leaders when it came to innovation before this year and it remained that way, but the other franchises made a notable effort to follow their lead and there was talk of a rugby revolution in playing style.
Although it didn’t bring immediate success, there were glimpses of potential and signs that most teams were shaking off the traditional conservative South African rugby yolk.
The Lions did one better than the year before in that this time they did finish top of the overall log and put in a creditable performance in a home final where their chances of winning were destroyed by the sending off of their tearaway flank Kwagga Smith.
