Springbok stars return to bolster Lions

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have bolstered their side with the inclusion of Springboks Ruan Venter and Quan Horn for the Currie Cup semifinal against the Cheetahs at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Horn will run out at the fullback in the place of Tapiwa Mafura, who moves to the left wing and Venter replaces Siba Qoma, who drops down to the bench.

Marius Louw also makes a return and will partner with Rynhardt Jonker in midfield.

Enforcements on the bench include Sanele Nohamba, JC Pretorius, and Kelly Mpeku amongst others.

Captain Jaco Visagie says the squad is quite excited at the prospect of playing in a semi-final of such a prestigious tournament in front of their home fans.

“[We are] extremely happy to be here, the squad is excited.

“For most of them, it’s their first semifinal in the Currie Cup so that in itself is a big milestone for them.

“We are incredibly happy to have made it this far into the competition,” Visagie said.

If Mafura takes the field, he will earn the distinction of playing in three consecutive semifinals for three different teams.

In 2022, he played for the Pumas against the Cheetahs, and in 2023 he played for the Cheetahs against the Pumas.

In both the previous years, he was in the winning team which also went on to win the Currie Cup.

The Lions have been sublime this season, topping the table with just one loss all season, and last month they secured a bonus-point win over the Cheetahs in a nine-try thriller in Bloemfontein.

Taking it all in. 🏟️
🆚 @CheetahsRugby
🗓: Sat, 14 September
⏰: 14:30
🎟: https://t.co/b2Hvo478Q9
🏟 : Emirates Airline Park
🏆: @TheCurrieCup
#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/pyhVX496U8

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) September 13, 2024

The only defeat the Lions suffered this season came at the hands of the Sharks in round four. Since then, they have won six in a row.

Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Rabz Maxwane, 13 Rynhardt Jonker, 12 Marous Louw, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Darrien-Lane Landsberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie (captain), 1 Morgan Naude
Replacements: 16 Morne Basson, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Raynard Roets, 20 JC Pretorius, 21 Siba Qoma, 22 Sanele Nohamba, 23 Kelly Mpeku

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Date: Saturday, September 14
Time: 14.30 (12.30 GMT)
Referee: Christopher Allison