Hlekani to join Lions for 2026 season
NEWS: The Lions have welcomed Junior World champion Batho Hlekani as their latest signing.
However, the utility forward will only join the Lions for the 2026 season when his contract expires with the Sharks on December 31, 2025.
The Lions had indicated they would request the exciting youngster to join them earlier after flanker Izan Esterzhuizen suffered a season-ending injury in the first round of the Currie Cup against the Sharks two weeks ago.
The hard-running 20-year-old loose forward came back from the recent World Under-20 Championship in Italy on a high after being invited to the senior Bok squad for their training camp in Johannesburg for two weeks.
The utility forward was a standout performer as South Africa won the World Championship for the first time since 2012.
Not only was he one of only three Junior Boks invited to the Bok camp, but he found himself amid a huge tug-of-war between the Sharks and the Lions.
Introducing Junior World champion Batho Hlekani.#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/pkfcg9pg3l
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) August 4, 2025
On Friday, the Springboks wrapped up a productive first week of training.
Responding to questions about including the three Young Guns, Bathobele Hlekani, Cheswill Jooste, and Haashim Pead in the squad for the conditioning camp, Erasmus said: “The coaches will be involved in the team until 2027, so it’s important for us to continue developing our depth and ensuring that we have at least three players to pick from in each position.
“We don’t see the Young Guns playing Test matches this year, but exposing them to this environment and allowing them to participate in all our boardroom and field sessions is great for them to learn.
“They’ve fitted in well and they appear to be enjoying it, while it’s also good for the more experienced players to see the talent that is coming through the ranks.”
Hlekani’s move to the Lions offers more game time in the United Rugby Championship, crucial for building experience. Challenges remain -refining consistency and adapting to senior physicality – but his invitation to Erasmus’ squad indicates he’s on the fast track.
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