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Vastly rejigged Lions side ready to do battle against Stormers XXIII

By Annemie Bester
Thursday 27 Aug 2026
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 06: ⁠⁠Jarod Cairns of Fidelity ADT Lions during the Fidelity ADT Lions training session and mixed zone opportunity at Johannesburg Stadium on August 06, 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Jarod Cairns will lead a young Lions outfit against the Stormers XXIII at Ellis Park on Friday following his sides fine showing against the All Blacks on Tuesday.

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Victory for the Capetonians would take them to at least 20 points, but the hosts can also force their way into the top four with a home win, although bonus points across the weekend could still prove decisive in the final calculation.

Looking back at their previous five meetings, then it’s clear the Stormers XXIII have a huge challenge to topple the Gautengers in their den.

This is because the Lions have won this meeting four times over this stretch – including the last three encounters – after the Capetonians won 44-28 in March 2023.

Ethan Adams starts at outside center in his first home game since joining the Lions.

Matt Coetzee starts at flyhlaf with Sam Francis out due to injury.

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Lions Currie Cup coach Mziwakhe Nkosi says home ground advantage is crucial ahead of tomorrow’s clash with a potential play-off spot on the line for his side.

Lions: 15 Gilermo Mentoe, 14 Keagan Smith, 13 Ethan Adams, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Latica Nela, 10 Matt Coetzee, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Jarod Cairns (captain), 7 Renzo du Plessis, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Siba Qoma, 3 Ruan Swart, 2 Armand Combrinck, 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Cecil Parsons, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Marco Ferreira, 21 Zian Cilliers, 22 Exauce Kevani, 23 Luke Cannon

Date: Friday, August 28
Venue: 10bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Juan de Bod
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen

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NEW IN THE APP: Official World Rugby Rankings hub! Compare team rankings side-by-side, with data going back 20 years.

Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!

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