And the Lions' No. 10 jersey goes to?
NEWS: Kade Wolhuter will wear the No. 10 jersey for a Lions XV in a friendly against the Pumas in the Bosveld Cup in Nylstroom on Saturday.
The Lions are desperate to find a regular flyhalf after utilising five different players in the position. Wolhuter gets the nod this time around.
He had four starts in 12 games this season as he continued to battle niggling injuries. He missed out on the Bulls match due to illness.
In a friendly against the Pumas at Ellis Park in March last year, Wolhuter also started at flyhalf after returning from injury.
It was speculated that new recruit Lubabalo Dobela might get his first shot as a pivot since joining the Lions from Griquas, but the 26-year-old has been included at fullback.
The match is being staged to offer the Lions a chance to give game time to fringe players and players coming back from injury as they work hard on building their depth ahead of a series of derbies coming up in the next month.
The Pumas meanwhile are also readying themselves for the challenge of the SA Cup. Last year they lost out in the final, going down 24-46 to Griquas in the Final.
Hooker Morne Brandon returns to captain the side after a lengthy time on the sidelines due to injury.
Lock John Stopforth, like Dobela, makes his first appearance in a Lions jersey.
Since entering the Pride this season, ‘Lubs’ is ready to be unleashed against Pumas in a season friendly this weekend.#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/iF9AOCz6Sc
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 30, 2025
Flanker Siba Qoma also returns after recovering from a groin injury.
Bronson Mills and Kelly Mpeku combine in the midfield after playing together at center from junior ranks and during the early part of last year’s Currie Cup.
Lions XV: 15 Lubabalo Dobela, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Kelly Mpeku, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Keagan Smith, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Layton Horn, 8 Ruhan Straeuli, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 John Stopforth, 4 Raynard Roets, 3 Stian de Bruyn, 2 Morne Brandon (captain), 1 Heiko Pohlman
Replacements: 16 Marno Grobbelaar, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Sivu Mabece, 19 Tiaan Wessels, 20 Luca Ribbens, 21 Izan Esterhuizen, 22 Bryce Samuel, 23 Bingo Ivanesevic, 24 Zaner du Plessis
