The Lions will head into their first-ever Vodacom URC quarter-final with a near full-strength side after two key players were cleared to face Leinster.
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 club’s recent history.
The quarter-final also marks a major milestone for former Blitzboks star JC Pretorius, who is set to make his 50th appearance for the Lions off the bench.
TEAM: Leinster stack bench for Lions battle
The Johannesburg-based outfit face a daunting assignment against the reigning URC champions, having lost 31-7 in Dublin three weeks ago during the league stage.
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 Cronjé returns on the left wing after missing last week’s clash against Munster.
Experienced hooker Franco Marais also returns to the match 23 and is named among the replacements alongside Rynhardt Jonker and exciting young scrumhalf Haashim Pead.
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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
