2021 – Preparation games 27 February – 27 March; Rainbow Cup SA
The Emirates Lions played five Vodacom Super Rugby games in 2020, before play was suspended due to COVID-19.Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked kicked off on 10 October as a replacement for Super Rugby (between local teams)
The Xerox Golden Lions beat Griquas 34-19 in the semi-final at Emirates Airline Park. They lost 31-28 against the Free State Cheetahs in the final in Bloemfontein.
Lions win third consecutive Vodacom Super Rugby SA conference title Went on to qualify for third successive final, losing to the Crusaders in Christchurch Xerox Golden Lions reached the semi-final stage of the Currie Cup, losing 37-21 away to the Sharks
Johan Ackermann resigns as coach to join Gloucester Rugby in England. Swys de Bruin (Ackermann’s right hand man) appointed new Golden Lions/Emirates Lions head coach
Lions win 16 games in the run-up to the final, breaking their previous franchise record. Lions go on to lose the final 17-25 to the Crusaders
Lions win 11 games in the regular season, reach the final to notch up 13 wins for the season – a new record for the franchise. Lions lose the Super Rugby final 3-20 to the Hurricanes in Wellington, New Zealand
An unbeaten Lions team won the Currie Cup for the first time in nine years
Emirates Airlines announced as new title sponsor from 2015 to 2019, a deal believed to be worth just over R150m. Ellis Park rebranded Emirates Airline Park
Rudolf Straeuli takes over as the new Lions CEO
