Loose-forward Francke Horn returns to rugby as the leader of what looks like a significantly strengthened Emirates Lions side for Sunday’s second round Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash with Zebre in Parma.
Horn, one of the form No 8s in the country last season, will lead from that position as his team goes out to get their first win in the competition after they lost to Cardiff in the opening game last weekend. Another player returning to the playing field after the off-season hiatus is experienced lock Etienne Oosthuizen, who will partner Ruan Delport in the second row, while Springbok hopeful Renzo du Plessis plays this week in place of the also promising Jarod Cairns at openside flank. The Lions are still without their ace fetcher from the last few seasons, JC Pretorius.
Another change to the team that lost 33-20 last week comes at tighthead prop, where Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye moves onto the bench to make space for RF Schoeman.
There will be two players making their debut for the Lions in an international competition - former Vodacom Bulls flyhalf has completed his concussion protocols following the incident in the Carling Currie Cup playoffs and will get to wear a jersey he hopes to become accustomed to as he starts out his career at a new franchise after a stint overseas. He did of course play for the Lions in the domestic competition but the URC is surely the competition he was brought to Johannesburg to excel in.
There’s another debutant who played for another franchise previously - former Hollywoodbets Sharks and Suzuki Griquas will play wing for the Lions for the first time and will be looking forward to teaming up with the in form fullback Quan Horn as well as former Western Province and Stormers wing and Blitzbok star Angelo Davids in what looks like an exciting back three.
The Lions were disappointing in Cardiff last week and more would have been expected of them as they had been battle hardened by competing in the Currie Cup playoffs but they’ve spent another week in Europe now and should be better acclimatised going into Sunday’s game.
Francke is back to lead the side against Zebre Parma. Here's the rest of your Match 23.
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 3, 2025
🆚 @ZebreParma
🗓: Sun, 5 Oct
⏰: 16:00
🏟: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi@Vodacom #URC #ForOurCity #Respresent#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/iVm53zfDxs
Players currently out injured include lock Ruan Schoeman, hooker PJ Botha, Pretorius, centre Erich Cronje, Stian de Bruyn, Jaco Visagie, Raynard Roets, Izan Esterhuizen, Siba Qoma and Rabz Maxwane.
Emirates Lions team: Quan Horn, Eduan Keyter, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Angelo Davids, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, Francke Horn (captain), Ruan Venter, Renzo du Plessis, Ruan Delport, Eitienne Oosthuizen, RF Schoeman, Franco Marais, SJ Kotze. Replacements: Morne Brandon, Heiko Pohlmann, Asenathi Ntlabankanye, Darrien Landsberg, WJ Steenkamp, Haashim Pead, Lubabalo Dobela, Rhynhardt Jonker.