Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a formidable and exciting 31-man squad to face the Sharks in a friendly at Ellis Park on Friday afternoon.
The Lions will host JP Pietersen’s charges from 3pm in a pre-season hit-out ahead of the 2026-27 Vodacom URC, which kicks for the Pride against defending champions Leinster on Saturday, 26 September in Johannesburg.
Springboks Boan Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe have been included by Van Rooyen among 17 forwards for Friday’s clash, along with regular skipper Francke Horn, former Blitzbok star JC Pretorius and promising youngsters Siba Mahashe and Batho Hlekani.
TEAM: Bok playmakers link up for Sharks trip
Fellow Junior Springbok stars Haashim Pead and Ethan Adams, who made his senior debut for the Lions almost three weeks ago in the Currie Cup, feature in the backline corps with seasoned campaigners Chris Smith and Rabz Maxwane.
Off-season recruits Hyron Andrews, JP du Preez, Boeta Chamberlain and Daniel Kasende have also been selected.
Van Rooyen’s Lions’ last outing was a thrilling 41-35 defeat by the All Blacks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on 25 August, while seven of the players in Friday’s group lost out to Griquas in last week’s Currie Cup semi-finals.
Lions squad
Forwards: Hyron Andrews, PJ Botha, Morne Brandon, Ruan Delport, JP du Preez, Batho Hlekani, Francke Horn, SJ Kotze, Sebastian Lombard, Siba Mahashe, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Etienne Oosthuizen, JC Pretorius, Siba Qoma, RF Schoeman, Dylan Sjoblom, Boan Venter.
Backs: Ethan Adams, Boeta Chamberlain, Erich Cronje, Jason Hugo, Rynhardt Jonker, Daniel Kasende, Richard Kriel, Rabz Maxwane, Bronson Mills, Kelly Mpeku, Haashim Pead, Keagan Smith, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Bok heavies beef up Lions for hit-out appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a formidable and exciting 31-man squad to face the Sharks in a friendly at Ellis Park on Friday afternoon.
The post Bok heavies beef up Lions for hit-out appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
