Victory caps challenging week for Lions

REACTION: Victory for the Lions over Lyon on Saturday, after last week’s derby success over the Sharks, has reignited belief in the camp, but it came off the back of a tough week full of challenges, coach Ivan van Rooyen revealed.

A late try from impact hooker Morné Brandon breathed new life into the Lions’ Challenge Cup campaign as they edged past Lyon 42-33 at Ellis Park.

Brandon’s score capped a typically gritty Lions performance, with the hosts once again dominating long stretches but flirting with late danger – a familiar storyline that has so often ended in disappointment.

This time, however, the Johannesburg side held their nerve against a Lyon outfit still searching for their first win in the competition, finally turning control into reward.

The win was so much sweeter after a week in which the Lions lost Ruan Venter, banned for four weeks after a high hit on Aphelele Fassi last weekend, as well as a string of injuries.

“Actually, it was a challenging week to be honest, after losing Ruan Venter for four weeks, Kelly Mpeku with a wrist [injury], Asa [Asenathi Ntlabakanye] felt his hamstring this week, Siba [Qoma] would’ve started and got injured in the warm-up, and Batho [Hlekani], who has only been with us for ten days, had to start,” Van Rooyen explained during the post-match press conference at Ellis Park.

“Sibabalwe Mahashe, who has never played for or with us, had to be included on the bench.

“That is what makes me proud. Guys that offer solutions and just work hard, similar to [our game] against the Sharks.

“Francke [Horn], who stays calm on the field and comes up with solutions. That is where we have grown a lot,” Van Rooyen said, adding, “I feel in the past when we started slipping, we kept on slipping. We manage to come up with solutions much quicker now.”

One of the highlights of the game was the performance of Junior Springbok and new Lions recruit Batho Hlekani, who not only scored on debut, but also walked away with the Man of the Match award.

International debuts secured! 🌍🦁
Congratulations to Siba & Batho on making their Lions debuts in the EPCR Challenge Cup, capped off with a victory over Lyon.
The journey starts here. 🔥#ChallengeCupRugby | #ForOurCity | #LIOvLYO#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/V4PVVj42hz

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 11, 2026

Van Rooyen shared his thoughts on the big flanker, saying, “Everyone knows how good he can carry. The whole world knows it. In the short time that I have been working with him, he is quiet, humble, and he just wants to work hard and make a difference.

“It is great that he is a Lion.”

Captain Francke Horn couldn’t agree more, explaining how he encouraged and supported Hlekani after he was elevated into the starting line-up at short notice.

“Batho getting the Man of the Match is richly deserved. My job as captain and part of the leadership group is just to keep him calm and give him confidence.

“He might have been nervous and a bit scared of not knowing detail, but I told him just take the ball forward, carry, and I think he did it extremely well,” Horn explained, adding, “And for the other Siba [Mahashe] to come onto the bench, play for 20 minutes, and make a really good impact with tempo in the game, just shows you the quality of our training.

“If one goes down, the other guy can just fit in and do the job.”

Relief and renewed belief defined the Lions’ mood after having secured their first win in the competition.

Van Rooyen admitted the result could prove pivotal to their season.

“I am relieved to be honest. It was a good experience, and to come away with five points, we are alive now.

“One or two wins in a row can give you momentum. Then it is our responsibility to keep the momentum going.
We depart on Tuesday for a two-week tour, first against Perpignan in the EPCR and then against Ospreys in the United Rugby Championship.

“We all know we haven’t been good against the Ospreys the last two years, and then we are back to face the Bulls.

“So it doesn’t get any easier in the next three weeks.”