Junior Springbok Gilermo Mentoe will get his first taste of senior rugby as he starts for the Lions against the embattled Vodacom Bulls XV at UJ Stadium on Saturday.
New signing and former Junior Bok Asad Moos gets his first start for the Joburg-based side in only his second appearance since switching from the Stormers.
Mziwakhe Nkosi’s side head into the Jukskei derby with confidence after thrashing the Pumas last week, while the Bulls are still searching for their first win of the season.
TEAM: Battered Bulls call in Junior Boks reinforcements
Despite the contrasting starts, Nkosi expects a fierce contest.
“We would be silly to take the Bulls lightly this Saturday,” he said. “They have outstanding players, coupled with a good coaching staff and probably have just had a rough draw in the competition by playing their first three games away from home.
“I have no doubt that they’ll be up for the challenge. In fact, the last time we played against the Bulls with the same management team, we lost to them in the U23 Cup final at Ellis Park. There is little to no chance of us taking them lightly.”
Mentoe, a former Bishops standout, will line up at fullback behind an experienced backline featuring Rabz Maxwane, Rynhardt Jonker and Keegan Smith, while Moos partners Sam Francis at halfback.
Captain Ruan Delport leads the pack, with Morné Venter, Jarod Cairns and Thando Biyela forming the loose trio.
TEAM: Muller headlines Stormers shake-up
LIONS – 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Keegan Smith, 13 Likhona Finca, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Morne Venter, 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 Ruan Delport (c), 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Mahle Sithole, 1 Morgan Naude.
Bench: 16 Ruan Welman, 17 Cecil Parsons, 18 Ruan Swart, 19 Marco Ferreira, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Zian Cilliers, 22 Matthew Coetzee, 23 Exauce Kevani.
Come through and support the us on Saturday when we face the @BlueBullsRugby. Get your tickets now.
https://t.co/5ewg9ZZiKr#LionsPride #forourcity pic.twitter.com/lCq9iyabLJ
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) July 30, 2026
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The post Lions unleash Junior Boks duo appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Junior Springbok Gilermo Mentoe will get his first taste of senior rugby as he starts for the Lions against the embattled Vodacom Bulls XV at UJ Stadium on Saturday.
The post Lions unleash Junior Boks duo appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
