10bet Lions captain Francke Horn returns to the side as they turn their attention to face unbeaten Edinburgh in their round four Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Murrayfield on Friday night.
Horn missed the emotional Investec Champions’ Cup against La Rochelle with an ankle niggle and returns to lead the side as coach Ivan van Rooyen has reshuffled his back row for the game.
There are starts for Batho Hlekani, who moves into the role fulfilled by Siba Qoma last weekend before he was injured.
Siba Mahashe drops out of the starting line-up with Notshe moving across to wear the six jersey.
The rest of the pack remains unchanged while at the back there is only one change this week, with Nico Steyn starting in the place of Morne van den Berg, who is rested this week.
It's Friday Night Lights at the Hive Stadium. Here's your Match 23 to take on Edinburgh. @Vodacom #URC | #EDIvLIO | #ForOurCity #LionsPride🦁 https://t.co/Af9EgSiwco
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 22, 2026
After a very emotional week following the death of their team-mate Hyron Andrews last weekend, the Lions will be looking to give a good performance against Sean Everitt’s side.
Lions and Springbok loosehead prop Boan Venter will face his former team-mates for the first time as well.
10bet Lions: Quan Horn; Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Erich Cronje; Chris Smith, Nico Steyn; Francke Horn (captain), Batho Hlekani, Sikhumbuzo Notshe; Ruan Delport, Etienne Oosthuizen, Conrad van Vuuren, Morne Brandon, Boan Venter.
Replacements: PJ Botha, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, Dylan Sjoblom, Siba Mahashe, Zian Cilliers, Richard Kriel, Boeta Chamberlain.