The Lions have received a timely boost ahead of Friday night’s United Rugby Championship clash against log-leading Edinburgh, with captain Francke Horn returning to the starting line-up after missing last weekend’s Champions Cup encounter against La Rochelle.
Horn’s return is significant for the Johannesburg side — the experienced loose forward has captained the team for several seasons and established himself as a key figure in their loose trio.
The Lions must now turn their attention to a formidable Edinburgh side that is top of the URC table and at home at the Hive Stadium.
Batho Hlekani also joins the starting loose trio, replacing Siba Qoma, who suffered a head knock and is undergoing the necessary concussion protocols.
Nico Steyn starts at scrumhalf, while the bench includes hooker PJ Botha, who is tasked with bringing energy to the forward effort, alongside Siba Mahashe and scrumhalf Zian Cilliers.
The Lions have endured an exceptionally difficult week, but assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys said the support of the international rugby community had helped the squad navigate an emotionally challenging period.
“To say it was a rough week is probably an understatement, but the support we received from almost everyone was huge,” said Redelinghuys.
“The sorrow everyone felt, and the way it was handled, felt authentic. The way it was handled – locally, abroad, our leadership, coaches and management and players – felt really respectful, and that gave us, to a big extent, some closure.”
The Lions will also have a valuable source of inside information as they prepare to face the URC leaders, with prop Boan Venter having spent close to five seasons at Edinburgh before returning to South Africa to join the Johannesburg side.
Redelinghuys said Venter’s familiarity with Edinburgh’s players, coaching staff and surroundings had proved useful during the build-up to Friday’s match.
“He’s got some interesting insights – from knowing the players well, the coaches, the field, the environment and the weather well,” said Redelinghuys.
“He’s got some good opinions, which is helping us in our prep. One comment he made is we’ll maybe be playing the first half and come out after half-time; the weather’s totally different.”
Lions team to play Edinburgh
15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horne (captain), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Morné Brandon, 1 Boan Venter. Replacements: 16 PJ Botha, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Siba Mahashe, 21 Zian Cilliers, 22 Richard Kriel, 23 Boeta Chamberlain.