The Lions will head into their first-ever Vodacom URC playoff match with a near full-strength side after two of their most seasoned players were cleared to face Leinster in Saturday’s quarter-final in Dublin.
Centre Henco van Wyk and captain Francke Horn were injury concerns earlier in the week, but both have recovered in time for the clash at the Aviva Stadium as Ivan van Rooyen’s side chase what would be one of the biggest wins in the franchise’s recent history.
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The quarter-final also marks a major milestone for former Blitzbok star JC Pretorius, who is set to make his 50th appearance for the Lions off the bench.
The Johannesburg outfit face a daunting assignment against the reigning URC champions, having already travelled to Dublin three weeks ago during the league phase.
There is, however, one enforced change to the starting XV.
Scrumhalf Nico Steyn replaces the injured Morné van den Berg, who has had bicep surgery and will miss a large chunk of the international season, while Erich Cronje returns on the left wing after missing last week’s clash against Munster.
Experienced hooker Franco Marais also returns to the matchday squad and is named among the replacements alongside Rynhardt Jonker and exciting young scrumhalf Haashim Pead.
Despite Leinster arriving wounded after their heavy Investec Champions Cup final defeat to Bordeaux-Bègles, Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys insists the Irish giants remain one of the toughest teams in world rugby.
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But the former Springbok prop believes the key battle will be brutally simple.
“The team that goes forward when contact takes place has a better chance, whether it’s attack, defence or set piece,” said Redelinghuys.
“We know what we want to achieve this weekend, and we believe if we get that right, it will give us a good chance.”
LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Erich Cronjé, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Siba Mahashe, 5 Darrien Landsberg, 4 Reinhard Nothnagel, 3 Sebastian Lombard, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze.
Bench: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Ruan Delport, 20 Siba Qoma, 21 JC Pretorius, 22 Rynhardt Jonker, 23 Haashim Pead.
Quarter-final ready.
Here’s your Fidelity SecureDrive Lions matchday 23 taking the field this Saturday.@Vodacom #URC | #LEIvLIO | #ForOurCity | #LionsPride pic.twitter.com/HWJXCrRnuA
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) May 29, 2026
Photo: Gallo Images
The post Lions get double boost for Dublin duel appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Lions will head into their first-ever Vodacom URC playoff match with a near full-strength side after two of their most seasoned players were cleared to face Leinster.
The post Lions get double boost for Dublin duel appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
