Quan Horn to add attacking spark as Lions Haashim Pead makes long-awaited debut

A Lions team already among the most experienced in this season’s Currie Cup has added even more firepower for their Round 6 showdown against the Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off) — a match that could make or break their playoff hopes.

Star centre Quan Horn has been drafted into Mziwakhe Nkosi’s squad for the crucial clash, slotting in at fullback to bring added quality, vision, and attacking flair to the backline.

In the forwards, powerful flank Ruan Venter returns to bolster the pack against a Bulls outfit that, while missing several big names, will bring typical physicality to the derby.

The Lions have also brought in former Sharks and Griquas utility back Eduan Keyter and former Oyonnax and Bulls flyhalf Chris Smith to strengthen their backline. Smith starts at flyhalf in place of the injured Lubabalo Dobela, with Sam Francis covering from the bench.

There’s also excitement around the possible senior debut of Junior Springbok scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who has been named among the replacements. Nico Steyn retains the No 9 jersey and will start.

The captaincy baton continues to be passed around within the squad — this time, hooker PJ Botha gets the armband. Lock Darrien Landsberg, who captained the side in last week’s 47-31 loss to the log-leading Cheetahs, drops to the bench, with Dylan Sjoblom and Ruan Delport forming the starting second-row partnership.

A lacklustre first-half showing in Bloemfontein last weekend proved costly for the Lions, and Nkosi knows a similar lapse could be fatal against their northern rivals. The Lions sit on 16 log points, while the Bulls trail with 10, with just one round remaining before the playoffs.

The Lions’ U19 and U21 teams will feature in curtain-raisers against the Cheetahs’ junior sides on Saturday, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested afternoon at Ellis Park.

Lions team to face the Bulls:

15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smit, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Dylan Sjoblom, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 PJ Botha (c), 1 SJ Kotze.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Tian Wessels, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Sam Francis, 23 Eduan Keyter.