The big name missing from the Tenbet Lions is former World Junior Player of the year Haashim Pead, but coach Ivan van Rooyen has named a strong side, filled with “moneyball” players looking to prove a point ahead of the upcoming Vodacom United Rugby Championship season.
Included is SA under-20 powerhouse midfielder Ethan Adams, who has excelled at schools and junior level, and is looking to take the step up to senior level.
The Lions have named a big squad of 59 players, including several new signings and are still a team of battlers, with several young players brought in as part of the bigger squad.
The Springboks they have are still there - Quan Horn, Morne van den Berg and Ruan Venter - are still there but the big off-season signing of Boan Venter is a notable addition to the squad.
Other than Venter, the team has added locks Hyron Andrews and JP du Plessis, flanker Sikhumbuzo Notshe, flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain, scrumhalf Asad Moos and winger Daniel Kasende to their side.
Venter is one name that brought a smile to coach Ivan van Rooyen’s face and with good reason.
“He’s big, a 1.87m, 130kg loosehead,” Van Rooyen smiled. “He brings bulk, a bit of beef. “Hardkoppig in Afrikaans is the way that he plays. It’s physical and exciting in the loose, which I think fits our game well. He’s been awesome. We’ve had two weeks with him, assessing where he is. He’s currently in that yo-yo position where he’s with the Boks and with us.
“Whatever it is, wherever he gets minutes, it’s important for him and for us to perform to bring his set-piece work and assist in the loose as much as possible.”
The Lions open against defending champions Leinster at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Lions URC and Investec Champions Cup squad
Forwards: Hyron Andrews, Thando Biyela, PJ Botha, Morné Brandon, Jarod Cairns, Luke Cannon, Eddie Davids, Ruan Delport, Renzo du Plessis, JP du Preez, Marco Ferreira, Marno Grobbelaar, JD Hattingh, Bathobele Hlekani, Francke Horn, SJ Kotze, Tiaan Lange, Sebastian Lombard, Sibabalwe Mahashe, Morgan Naude, Reinhard Nothnagel, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Etienne Oosthuizen, Cecil Parsons, JC Pretorius, Sibabalo Qoma, James Schnetler, RF Schoeman, Mahle Sithole, Dylan Sjoblom, Ruan Swart, Conraad van Vuuren, Boan Venter, Morné Venter, Ruan Venter.
Backs: Ethan Adams, Boeta Chamberlain, Zian Cilliers, Erich Cronje, Angelo Davids, Alzeadon Felix, Likhona Finca, Samuel Francis, Jason Hugo, Layton Horn, Quan Horn, Rynhardt Jonker, Daniel Kasende, Richard Kriel, Rabz Maxwane, Gilermo Mentoe, Bronson Mills, Asad Moos, Kelly Mpeku, Chris Smith, Keagan Smith, Nico Steyn, Morné van den Berg, Henco van Wyk.