The Lions are set to unleash Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani this Saturday for their Round 3 EPCR Challenge Cup against French outfit Lyon at Ellis Park. Kick off in Johannesburg is at 17:15.

The former Sharks flanker reported for training with his new club last week and head coach Ivan van Rooyen wasted no time by including the 115kg giant into his match 23. The Gqeberha-born Hlekani has been asked to provide impact from the bench, with a powerful starting line-up announced to take on the physical Lyon. Both sides are yet to register a win in the competition, making Saturday the perfect opportunity to salvage an outside chance entry into the play-off stage of the competition.

Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys in his analysis of his opponents stressed on how good their set piece is and the danger they possesses once momentum is acquired.

“The difficult thing about the French teams is that you never know which team you are going to play,” Redelinghuys said.

“Home or away, you can never be sure of who is going to be selected. They are very good when they get momentum at the beginning coupled with a very good kicking game.

“The French are smart with when they shoot up and they are careful in their own half until they feel they can make an attack. For us, we know we have to be awake.

“Obviously they bring a massive set-piece focus. They pride themselves in that,’ he concluded.

In team news, Conrad van Vuuren is selected at tight head prop with Asenathi Ntlabakanye nursing a hamstring niggle. Renzo du Plessis gets an opportunity in the backrow alongside skipper Francke Horn and Siba Qoma.

Only one change in the backline in the form of Richard Kriel at right wing. Returns for Henco van Wyk on the bench and Sebastian Lombard from injury. Junior Springbok Haashim Pead and Rabz Maxwane complete the rest.

Lions 23 vs Lyon

1.           Eddie Davids

2.           PJ Botha

3.           Conrad van Vuuren

4.           Dylan Sjoblom

5.           Ruan Delport

6.           Renzo du Plessis

7.           Siba Qoma

8.           Francke Horn (c)

9.           Morne van den Berg

10.         Chris Smith

11.         Angelo Davids

12.         Bronson Mills

13.         Erich Cronje

14.         Richard Kriel

15.         Quan Horn

Replacements

16.         Morne Brandon

17.         RF Schoeman

18.         Sebastian Lombard

19.         Ruben Schoeman

20.         Batho Hlekani

21.         Haashim Pead

22.         Henco van Wyk

23.         Rabz Maxwane

Lions upcoming EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures

USA Perpignan vs Lions (A)- 17 January 2026