Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a 59-man squad for the Joburg-based outfit’s 2026-27 campaign.
The squad is made up of 35 forwards and 24 backs, and features several Springboks, prop Boan Venter, utility forward Ruan Venter, loose forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe, scrumhalf Morné van den Berg and fullback Quan Horn.
There is further experience and excitement in the form of Francke Horn, Henco van Wyk, JC Pretorius, Nico Steyn, Batho Hlekani, Siba Mahashe and Chris Smith, but Junior Springbok star Haashim Pead has bid farewell to the Pride and will link up with the Stormers.
Van Rooyen has also included a host of promising players like Ethan Adams, Kelly Mpeku and Keagan Smith who have featured in the Currie Cup, along with newcomers Boeta Chamberlain, Daniel Kasende, Hyron Andrews and JP du Preez.
The Lions begin their URC campaign against defending champions Leinster at Ellis Park on Saturday before hosting Welsh outfit the Ospeys next week.
Lions URC and Investec Champions Cup squad
Forwards: Hyron Andrews, Thando Biyela, PJ Botha, Morné Brandon, Jarod Cairns, Luke Cannon, Eddie Davids, Ruan Delport, Renzo du Plessis, JP du Preez, Marco Ferreira, Marno Grobbelaar, JD Hattingh, Bathobele Hlekani, Francke Horn, SJ Kotze, Tiaan Lange, Sebastian Lombard, Sibabalwe Mahashe, Morgan Naude, Reinhard Nothnagel, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Etienne Oosthuizen, Cecil Parsons, JC Pretorius, Sibabalo Qoma, James Schnetler, RF Schoeman, Mahle Sithole, Dylan Sjoblom, Ruan Swart, Conraad van Vuuren, Boan Venter, Morné Venter, Ruan Venter.
Backs: Ethan Adams, Boeta Chamberlain, Zian Cilliers, Erich Cronje, Angelo Davids, Alzeadon Felix, Likhona Finca, Samuel Francis, Jason Hugo, Layton Horn, Quan Horn, Rynhardt Jonker, Daniel Kasende, Richard Kriel, Rabz Maxwane, Gilermo Mentoe, Bronson Mills, Asad Moos, Kelly Mpeku, Chris Smith, Keagan Smith, Nico Steyn, Morné van den Berg, Henco van Wyk.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
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Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a 59-man squad for the Joburg-based outfit’s 2026-27 campaign.
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