A few other newcomers to the franchise, including former Bok Sikhumbuzo Notshe, have also been named in the matchday squad.
Quan Horn has been released by the Springboks and will play for the Lions against the All Blacks on Tuesday. Picture: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
The Lions have included Springbok fullback Quan Horn in their starting side that will take on the touring All Blacks at Ellis Park on Tuesday night, with kick-off at 7pm.
Horn has been released by the Boks, making him available to the Lions for an opportunity to take on the men from New Zealand. Prop Boan Venter, who recently signed for the Lions and has yet to feature for his new team, has also been released by the Boks and will play off the bench on Tuesday.
The Lions’ other current Bok player, scrumhalf Morné van den Berg, has not been named in the matchday-23, which means he could turn out for the Springboks in the second Test against the All Blacks this weekend in Cape Town.
The Lions side will be captained by regular United Rugby Championship skipper Francke Horn and includes several first-choice players including Henco van Wyk, Chris Smith, Siba Mahashe and PJ Botha. There is also place in the side for the exciting Batho Hlekani.
Other notable names in the Lions lineup are Hyron Andrews and Sikhumbuzo Notshe, both of whom recently joined the Joburg side, and Haashim Pead and Boeta Chamberlain, also a newcomer to the team, who’ll all play off the bench.
The All Blacks have so far beaten the three other SA URC sides, the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls, and won last Saturday’s first Test against the Boks, also at Ellis Park.
All Blacks boss Dave Rennie named his team for Tuesday’s match on Sunday, including veteran No 10 Richie Mo’unga in the starting team.
Lions team: Quan Horn, Kelly Mpeku, Henco van Wyk, Richard Kriel, Erich Cronje, Chris Smith, Nico Steyn, Francke Horn (capt), Batho Hlekani, Siba Mahashe, Ruan Delport, Etienne Oosthuizen, Sebastian Lombard, PJ Botha, SJ Kotze. Bench: Morne Brandon, Boan Venter, RF Schoeman, Hyron Andrews, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, JC Pretorius, Haashim Pead, Boeta Chamberlain
