The Lions have made just a solitary change, and backed their squad that beat the Vodacom Bulls in November to do a repeat when the two sides meet in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship Jukskei derby at Ellis Park on Saturday.
Jarod Cairns comes into the starting line up ahead of Renzo du Plessis, who drops down to the bench in the only change to the side that drew with the Ospreys in Wales last weekend.
The Lions are in seventh place on the log and a win over their nearest rivals will give them a boost in their quest for their first ever top eight finish, while it will also open up the possibility of them challenging for the SA Shield for the first time.
The Lions have never won their home fixture against the Bulls at Ellis Park, losing all four previous matches, but the Bulls are a different side now and Ivan van Rooyen’s charges will be confident following their shock win in November at Loftus Versfeld and recent good form.
These guys are ready to defend OUR city...are YOU? See you all tomorrow.
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 30, 2026
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@Vodacom #URC | #ForOurCity | #LIOvBUL
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Lions: Quan Horn; Angelo Davids, Henco van Wyk, Bronson Mills, Richard Kriel; Chris Smith, Morne van den Berg; Francke Horn (captain), Batho Hlekani, Jarod Cairns, Reinhard Nothnagel, Ruben Schoeman, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, PJ Botha, SJ Kotze.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, RF Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Etienne Oosthuizen, Darrien Landsberg, Renzo du Plessis, Haashim Pead, Erich Cronje.