The Sharks are refusing to release Junior Boks flank Batho Hlekani to the Lions before the end of his contract with the Durban-based union.
The 20-year-old loose forward was invited to train with the Springboks after returning from South Africa’s World Rugby U20 Championship triumph in Italy, where he was one of the standout players.
MORE: Lions poach Sharks’ Junior Boks star
It had been reported that Hlekani would join the Lions after the Currie Cup, in time for the start of their 2024-25 Vodacom URC campaign, but Sharks chief operating officer Novashni Chetty made the union’s position clear to Rugby365: “Batho is contracted to us until 31 December.”
Hlekani played for the Sharks in their 2024 Currie Cup title-winning campaign and was named in their 2025 squad.
However, he was not among several Junior Boks named in the Sharks match 23 for Saturday’s clash against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus.
“Batho won’t be available … he will be in the Springbok setup,” said Sharks coach JP Pietersen.
Listen to Felix getting involved
Getting the ball off Bathobele Hlekani is no simple task
#SSRugby pic.twitter.com/LGb10qBKM9
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 31, 2025
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
The post Sharks play hardball with Batho appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.