The most unlikely B&I Lion found in South Africa
SPOTLIGHT: Newly selected British and Irish Lion Huw Jones has walked the road less travelled to international stardom.
After finishing his schooling, Jones took a gap year (stooging) in South Africa in 2013, working at Bishops Preparatory School to earn pocket money.
Also read: REVEALED: The number of South Africans in the British & Irish Lions tour squad
It wasn’t long before he was summoned to False Bay and played his first game for the Under-20B side.
His talent didn’t go unnoticed when False Bay’s Director of Rugby, Kevin Mustikanth, was appointed as the University of Cape Town’s coach for the Varsity Cup in 2014, and Jones followed suit.
The UCT Ikey Tigers made the 2014 Varsity Cup Final.
Jones started at outside centre and finished the match as UCT pulled one of the most epic comebacks of the competition to clinch the trophy.
The article continues below…
His heroics didn’t go unnoticed and he was quickly drafted into the Western Province squad and went on to play 50-odd games for WP and the Stormers.
He made his Test debut for Scotland in 2016 during his time at the Stormers.
His last act in the blue and white hoops came in the 2017 Currie Cup Final, which was the last time Western Province won the domestic title.
Jones grabbed a brace and was named the Player of the Match before moving to Glasgow Warriors.
Jones had two stints with the Warriors and has represented them on 80-plus occasions, winning the United Rugby Championship title against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld last year.
His form in the last few years’ Six Nations campaigns has been extraordinary, which has earned him a British & Irish Lions call-up for the trip to Australia.
* Picture credit: @FalseBayRFC
ππ¨ππ¨π«π―ππ©π¬ π ππ₯π¬π πππ²βπ¬ π π’π«π¬π ππ«π’ππ’π¬π‘ & ππ«π’π¬π‘ ππ’π¨π§ 🦁
Congratulations to Huw jones on your selection to the @lionsofficial 🤝
From False Bay’s U20s in 2012, to our First Team in 2013 and now a British & Irish Lion. What a journey! 👏 pic.twitter.com/LJWDoCtpNN
β FalseBayRFC (@FalseBayRFC) May 8, 2025
To be first in line for Rugby World Cup 2027 Australia tickets, register your interest here
