Springbok tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye returns to anchor the Lions pack in Saturday’s Currie Cup final against Griquas at Ellis Park.
Bok fullback Quan Horn will captain the side, while Ntlabakanye takes the role of vice-captain.
Ntlabakanye, who last featured for the Springboks against Australia at Ellis Park in August, returns to action this weekend despite facing two formal doping charges.
NKOSI: Asenathi emotionally ready for Currie Cup final
Hooker PJ Botha, who led the Lions in the semi-final win against Boland, has been ruled out with a knee injury. Franco Marais takes his place in the starting XV, joining Ntlabakanye and SJ Kotze in the front row.
Dylan Sjoblom and Ruan Delport form an unchanged lock pairing, while Jarod Cairns, Ruan Venter and WJ Steenkamp continue as the back-row unit.
Scrumhalf Nico Steyn partners flyhalf Chris Smith, with Richard Kriel and Henco van Wyk named in midfield. The back three sees Horn joined by former Stormers speedster Angelo Davids, who scored four tries against Boland, and Kelly Mpeku.
The Lions’ bench includes flanker Renzo du Plessis, Junior Boks scrumhalf Haashim Pead and flyhalf Lubabalo Dobela.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
LIONS – 15 Quan Horn (c), 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze.
Bench: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker.
GRIQUAS – 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurshwin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Derik Pretorius, 3 Cebo Dlamini (c), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids.
Bench: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Ig Prinsloo, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Phumzile Maqondwana, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney.
Joburg, come alive for the boys!
#ForOurCity | #LIOvGRI | #CurrieCup | #WhereChampionsRise
#LionsPridepic.twitter.com/8hRqdFdqAT
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) September 19, 2025
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
The post Lions call on Ntlabakanye for Currie Cup final appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.