The defending URC champions were officially crowned winners of the SA conference for the second year running after the Lions stunned the Bulls at Loftus, just hours after the Western Cape side beat the Sharks last weekend.

Dobson says they were caught off guard by the milestone.

"We weren't expecting it at all, we actually never thought of it. We didn't chat about it in the week whatsoever, the Shield. What we did talk about, ja, was complete a sweep of all the local teams over the season – that meant something to us.

"It probably means between that sweep and us getting the shield, we are the best team in South Africa for the second year in a row, which is something we're really proud of."

However, Dobson is wary of possibly having to play a wounded team in the first round of the playoffs.

"Look, we pleased ourselves and now we deserve to be a bit [celebratory], but we're acutely aware we could have a really tough quarterfinal draw," he added.

"Like a snorting Sharks, fully loaded, back in Cape Town, and you saw Harlequin's performance in the Heineken Cup this week, so they could be very tough and the flavour of the season could change.

"But I think it won't change the fundamental building block this season of being a bigger squad and backing up last year – in some ways, we're performing better this year than last year."

Finished ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier