The 10bet Lions have made a number of changes to their side as they head to Loftus Versfeld to take on the Vodacom Bulls in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship Jukskei Derby, most notably the return of their two Springboks Quan Horn and Morne van den Berg.
Horn moves back into the fullback role he has made his own over the past few seasons while Van den Berg’s return to scrumhalf is a massive boost to the side.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen made other backline shifts as well, with Richard Kriel shifting from 12 to wing with Erich Cronje injured and missing the game.
This has allowed the SA under-20 tank Ethan Adams to move to his more favoured position and to play alongside SA A midfielder Henco van Wyk.
We take on the @BlueBullsRugby at Loftus this Saturday. Joburg, get involved. @Vodacom #URC | #ForOurCity | #BULvLIO #LionsPride🦁 https://t.co/2NSbSvtOYB
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 8, 2026
There is also a new lock partnership with Dylan Sjoblom and Hyron Andrews in the engine room for the game.
The loose trio of captain Francke Horn, Siba Qoma and JC Pretorius stays the same, while Springbok Boan Venter leads a front row with PJ Botha and Sebastian Lombard.
On the bench Batho Hlekani returns, with JP du Preez making an appearance as well. Nico Steyn and Boeta Chamberlain are the only backline players in a six-two split.
10bet Lions: Quan Horn; Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Ethan Adams, Richard Kriel; Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg; Francke Horn (captain), Siba Qoma, JC Pretorius, Hyron Andrews, Dylan Sjoblom, Sebastian Lombard, PJ Botha, Boan Venter.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, SJ Kotze, RF Schoeman, JP Du Preez, Siba Mahashe, Batho Hlekani, Nico Steyn, Boeta Chamberlain.