Pead, Hlekani get first starts for Lions, Van Wyk back for physical clash with Perpignan

Junior Springbok stars Batho Hlekani and Hashim Pead will enjoy their first starts for the Lions in Saturday night’s Challenge Cup pool game against Perpignan in the south of France, kick-off is at 7.30pm (SA time).

Pead was the hero of the Lions’ win in Durban a fortnight ago when he scored a last-minute try to steal the spoils 23-22 in a United Rugby Championship match.

Hlekani, who joined the Lions from the Sharks at the beginning of January, made his debut off the bench last week in the 42-33 Challenge Cup defeat of Lyon at Ellis Park.

The powerfully built, abrasive flank earned the Player of the Match award for his impressive efforts, and his reward is a starting place this week.

Conspicuous by their absence are Springboks Morne van den Berg and Asenathi Ntlabakanye.

Coach Ivan van Rooyen earlier this week said that some of his senior players were carrying niggles, and if they were not 100 percent on the eve of the Perpignan match, he would save them for next week’s URC visit to Edinburgh.

Scrumhalf Van den Berg and prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye fall into that category.

In terms of scrumhalf, the Lions are well served by the experienced Nico Steyn, who is on the bench, and Pead, the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship Player of the Tournament.

There is a big boost for the Lions in the midfield where the combative Henco van Wyk is at inside centre. Last week, the tough-tackling Van Wyk made his comeback from injury off the bench.

This week, he starts with Bronson Mills dropping to the bench.

Also back in the backline is former Griquas and Sharks flyer Eduan Swart. He forms a dangerous back three with the other wing, Angelo Davids, and fullback Quan Horn.

Second-row bruiser Etienne Oosthuizen, who himself had a stint in France with Lyon, returns to the fold to provide go-forward grunt in partnership with Reinhard Nothnagel.

“The hard yards we did against Lyon last week at home have provided us with the platform to make it into the Round of 16 by beating Perpignan,” Van Rooyen said. We have a great opportunity this weekend to stay in the competition.”

Van Rooyen will be looking for a more polished performance from last week at Ellis Park.

“To get a win that kept us alive in the competition was a highlight, but we were untidy in the process,” the coach said.

“We are preparing for a massive and physical Perpignan side that thrives on momentum”, Van Rooyen added.

Lions team for Perpignan

15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Erich Cronje, 12 Henco van Wyk, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Haashim Pead, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 RF Schoeman, 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Eddie Davids.

Bench: 16 Franco Marais, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Ruben Schoeman, 20 Darrien Landsberg, 21 Siba Mahashe, 22 Nico Steyn, 23 Bronson Mills.