Coach Deon Davids comes with a wealth of experience

March 10 - New head coach of the Golden Lions Vodacom Cup side Deon Davids comes to the GLRU with a wealth of coaching experience – and also with a pragmatic view that augurs well for the future of the Lions at all levels. “I’m very excited,” said Davids in an interview. “I’m very impressed with the quality of the playing personnel. There is a weakness in a position of two, but generally the playing potential is very good with a mix of experience and youth and loads of potential.” David is still coaching the Vodacom Cup side in tandem with Nico Serfontein before he will take over the Under-21s by himself. Golden Lions Rugby Union CEO Manie Reyneke that Davids and Serfontein would coach the Vodacom Cup side together for the interim, after which Serfontein would move on to a different role within the union developing their structures. “Deon comes with a good coaching record, so we are happy to have him involved here," Reyneke said. Davids said he agrees with the Lions’ vision to bring the players through the junior structures and nurture them in the Vodacom Cup competition to provide talent and depth for the Currie Cup and Super Rugby teams. The “One Lion” principle will also be pursued. The junior provincial and the Vodacom Cup sides’ coaching will be done along the same lines as that of the Super Rugby side, says Davids. “The sooner the young players get exposed to a system or game plan, the easier it will be for them to adapt should they be called up to more senior. By coaching uniformly, greater continuity in the Lions teams will follow.” Davids was coach of the SA Emerging side; the African Leopards selected from all the rugby-playing countries in Africa; and also with the SA Under-20s in Japan where he was an assistant coach with Serfontein under head coach Eric Sauls in 2009. He coached the University of Western Cape team in this year’s inaugural Varsity Shield competition and as also Boland coach until 2009 – the team his charges are up against this weekend. Golden Lions Rugby Union CEO Manie Reyneke that Davids and Serfontein would coach the Vodacom Cup side together for the interim, after which Serfontein would move on to a different role within the union developing their structures. Deon comes with a good coaching record, so we are happy to have his services," Reyneke said.