Asenathi Ntlabakanye says the players are responsible for the Lions’ disappointing season and must take decisive action.

For the third straight season, the Lions have missed the playoffs. After back-to-back ninth-place finishes, they’ve dropped to 13th this campaign.

Despite starting well with an unbeaten run in the first four rounds, they’ve since lost 10 of their last 13 matches. A five-game losing streak midway through the season left them needing a strong finish at home, but defeats to Benetton and Scarlets sealed their fate.

Heading into their last-round match against Ospreys on Saturday, the Lions remain in 13th place. They’ve won two of their three previous meetings against the Welsh side, but with both teams unable to qualify for the playoffs, there’s only pride at stake.

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“There were times when we were good, but there were also times when the performances were shocking,” Ntlabakanye said in a press conference on Wednesday.

“Players can’t control what happens off the field, but it is clear that on the pitch things need to change.

“We need to improve immensely next season and perform a whole lot better. As players we have to take responsibility for this season.

“We are the ones that step onto the field. Our coaches come up with plans and on a Saturday it is our job to execute them. We have to take huge responsibility as to why this season hasn’t gone according to plan.

“We had ambitions as a squad to finish in the top eight and qualify for the Champions Cup, which we haven’t done before. To fall short of those goals is majorly disappointing. We weren’t at the level where we performed the way we wanted to week in and week out.”

The 2024/25 season has been a tough one for the Pride, who now face further change.

Springbok wing Edwill van der Merwe will play his final match before joining the Sharks, while centre Marius Louw is set to move to England to join Sale Sharks in the Premiership.

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“This weekend is an opportunity for us to send off some guys on a positive note and play high-quality rugby,” added the Lions prop. “That is something we haven’t done in a while.

“We are very positive that we can earn a place in the top eight next season. You have seen that with some of the guys that have signed new contracts.

“For Edwill and Marius that are leaving, we have to send them off well. They have been great servants to the Lions. We need to put on a spectacle for them and end the season off on a high note.”

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