Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a formidable 28-man squad for a two-match tour to Eire because the Delight chase a maiden Vodacom URC playoff berth.
Skipper and No 8 Francke Horn is certainly one of 18 forwards set to board the airplane to the Irish capital on Saturday evening, together with Springboks Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Ruan Venter in addition to the dynamic Batho Hlekani and JC Pretorius.
Within the backs, playmaker and ace goalkicker Chris Smith will look to pair up on tour with Bok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg, Haashim Pead and Nico Steyn.
The midfield is roofed by veteran Erich Cronje and Henco van Wyk, whereas Bronson Mills continues to be out injured.
MORE: Lions hungry to ‘play with the large canine’
Fullback Quan Horn will present expertise and attacking spark, with speedsters Angelo Davids and David Kriel set to supply strike energy out vast. Sam Francis provides further cowl.
The Lions face Leinster on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin subsequent Saturday, earlier than a visit to Munster and Thomond Park the next week.
Van Rooyen’s males are third on the standings after a run of six consecutive victories, with two rounds remaining within the race to the ultimate eight.
Lions touring squad
Forwards: Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Batho Hlekani, Darrien Landsberg, Eddie Davids, Etienne Oosthuizen, Francke Horn (c), Franco Marais, JC Pretorius, Morne Brandon, PJ Botha, Reinhard Nothnagel, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Ruan Venter, Sebastian Lombard, Siba Mahashe, Siba Qoma, SJ Kotze.
Backs: Angelo Davids, Chris Smith, Erich Cronje, Haashim Pead, Henco van Wyk, Morné van den Berg, Nico Steyn, Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Sam Francis.
Eire awaits. 🦁✈️
Able to hit the highway for our two-match tour – right here’s your touring squad to face Leinster and Munster. @vodacom #URC | #ForOurCity#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/JHfua5IWhX
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) Could 2, 2026
Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Pictures
