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Junior Springbok stars handed Lions chance against Pumas

By Annemie Bester
Friday 24 Jul 2026
Mahle Sithole

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions will be aiming to bounce back from their two-point loss last weekend in Bloemfontein when they host the Pumas in Johannesburg on Saturday.

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The Lions have a 4-1 head-to-head advantage in this meeting, with their only loss to the team from Mpumalanga happening three years ago when the Pumas won in Nelspruit.

Last year’s encounter between the sides, also played at Mbombela Stadium, ended in a one-point 36-35 win for the team from Gauteng.

*Also read: Currie Cup, Round Two – Teams and Predictions

Junior Springboks Mahle Sithole and Thando Biyela are the only two changes in the starting group at hooker and flank respectively.

New recruit Asad Moos is in line for a first appearance for his new club.

Renzo du Plessis and Marco Ferreira will provide impact from the bench.

Lions: 15 Latica Nela, 14 Keagan Smith, Likhona Finca, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Zian Cilliers, 8 Morne Venter, 7 Jarod Cairs, 6 Thando Biyela, 5 Ruan Delport (captain), 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Mahle Sithole, 1 Morgan Naude
Replacements: 16 Ruan Welman, 17 Cecil Parsons, 18 Ruan Swart, 19 Marco Ferreira, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Asad Moos, 22 Matthew Coetzee, 23 Exauce Kevani

Date: Saturday, July 25
Venue: 10Bet Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 SAST; 13.00 GMT
Referee: Griffin Colby
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Hernus Coetzee
TMO: Archie Moko

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Trending

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