The Lions will be boosted by the return of Springbok bruiser Ruan Venter ahead of their rescheduled Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 8 fixture against the high-flying Hollywoodbets Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday at 14:00 (SA Time).
Venter slots into the back row after serving a four-match suspension, a sanction he received against the same opposition in January this year, where his team snatched a one-point victory in the dying minutes. The powerful number 7 slots in for the exciting Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani, who provides cover from the replacements bench.
Another Junior Springbok in the form of Siba Mahashe also receives an opportunity in the starting XV, after making his senior international debut for the Lions in December 2025. The former Hudson Park pupil will be in good company in a combination featuring Venter and skipper Francke Horne.
Prominent line-out jumper Darrien Landsberg runs out for his 50th international appearance for the franchise on Saturday as he partners Etienne Oosthuizen in the second row.
In the backline, winger Kelly Mpeku returns to the back three alongside Angelo Davids and Springbok fullback Quan Horn.
Lions: 1. SJ Kotze, 2. PJ Botha, 3. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 5. Darrien Landsberg, 6. Siba Mahashe, 7. Ruan Venter, 8. Francke Horn (c), 9. Morne van den Berg, 10. Chris Smith, 11. Angelo Davids, 12. Bronson Mills, 13. Henco van Wyk, 14. Kelly Mpeku, 15. Quan Horn. Replacements: 16. Francois Marais, 17. RF Schoeman, 18. Eddie Davids, 19. Reinhard Nothnagel, 20. Batho Hlekani, 21. Renzo du Plessis, 22. Haashim Pead, 23. Erich Cronje.