Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a formidable 28-man squad for a two-match tour to Ireland as the Pride chase a maiden Vodacom URC playoff berth.
Skipper and No 8 Francke Horn is one of 18 forwards set to board the plane to the Irish capital on Saturday night, along with Springboks Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Ruan Venter as well as the dynamic Batho Hlekani and JC Pretorius.
In the backs, playmaker and ace goalkicker Chris Smith will look to pair up on tour with Bok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg, Haashim Pead and Nico Steyn.
The midfield is covered by veteran Erich Cronje and Henco van Wyk, while Bronson Mills is still out injured.
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Fullback Quan Horn will provide experience and attacking spark, with speedsters Angelo Davids and David Kriel set to provide strike power out wide. Sam Francis adds additional cover.
The Lions face Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin next Saturday, before a trip to Munster and Thomond Park the following week.
Van Rooyen’s men are third on the standings after a run of six consecutive victories, with two rounds remaining in the race to the final eight.
Lions touring squad
Forwards: Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Batho Hlekani, Darrien Landsberg, Eddie Davids, Etienne Oosthuizen, Francke Horn (c), Franco Marais, JC Pretorius, Morne Brandon, PJ Botha, Reinhard Nothnagel, RF Schoeman, Ruan Delport, Ruan Venter, Sebastian Lombard, Siba Mahashe, Siba Qoma, SJ Kotze.
Backs: Angelo Davids, Chris Smith, Erich Cronje, Haashim Pead, Henco van Wyk, Morné van den Berg, Nico Steyn, Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Sam Francis.
Ireland awaits.
Ready to hit the road for our two-match tour – here’s your touring squad to face Leinster and Munster. @vodacom #URC | #ForOurCity#LionsPride
pic.twitter.com/JHfua5IWhX
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) May 2, 2026
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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