Hlekani links up with Lions, but may have to wait for game time

The Lions have confirmed that the SA under-20 flank sensation Batho Hlekani has joined them full-time from the Hollywoodbets Sharks and is available with immediate effect.

Introducing Junior World champion Batho Hlekani.#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/pkfcg9pg3l — Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) August 4, 2025

Hlekani, who was one of the standout players in the Junior World Championship, which the Junior Boks won in style, has been the subject of conjecture about his future, with some doubts being sown that he would leave the Sharks.

But as the Lions announced earlier, he will be on their books as of January 2026 and has already joined up with the side.

Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher said he was excited to see what Hlekani could bring to the side.

“Batho slotted in with us immediately,” Loubscher said.

“The big challenge for him, obviously, is to get used to our systems and the way we do things. We know what he’s capable of on the pitch, and we’re quite excited to have him.

“It’s great that he’s joined us, and we can’t wait to start working and walk a path with him.”

PATIENCE REQUIRED

But if Hlekani was hoping to get onto the field immediately, he may have to wait, especially if the way the Lions have handled Junior World Player of the year Haashim Pead, who has rarely seen game time at the franchise despite being crowned the best junior player in the world and being in a situation where most sides would have wanted to use his services.

Loubscher brushed off criticism, saying that Pead will get his opportunity before too long.

“We know what he is capable of, and we’d love to give him an opportunity to play. We’re still talking about team selection, but we’re excited about what he can bring. We have seen what he is capable of during the Under-20 Championship.

“He’s great on attack, brings great speed to the team, and his passing and sniping around the rucks is immense. It’s a matter of time before we will unleash him and hopefully he’ll make use of the opportunity.”

Despite Pead’s obvious potential, the Lions have played Nico Steyn ahead of him whenever Springbok halfback Morne van den Berg was not available.