The Currie Cup season kicks off this week, bringing with it anticipation, new faces, and unfinished business. For the Golden Lions, the first round offers an immediate chance to demonstrate that the progress made in the United Rugby Championship can translate into a real challenge for the title.
While defending champions Griquas begin their season in Cape Town, and the Pumas and Sharks XV open the competition in Mbombela on Friday evening, the main focus on Sunday will be in Bloemfontein. There, the Cheetahs, led by Frans Steyn, will host the Lions, who aim to forget the disappointment of losing the last two Premier Division finals at Ellis Park stadium.
Head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi has formed a squad that reflects the overall theme of the Lions' season: a blend of young talent and experienced players. The team captain will be the lock Ruan Delport, while the attacking line is secured by experienced forwards Renzo du Plessis, Jarod Cairns, and Morgan Naude.
In the backline, flyhalf Sam Francis will partner scrumhalf Zian Cilliers, and veterans Rabz Maxwane and Rynhardt Jonker will guide the relatively inexperienced group.
The task ahead for the Lions is significant. The Cheetahs, who were champions in 2023, have been strengthened by the arrival of Springbok squad scrumhalf Faf de Klerk. They will also rely on their 47-31 victory over the Lions in a similar match last year.
Loose forward Du Plessis, who participated in the Springbok training camp last year, acknowledged the high competition for spots in the Lions squad but stated that his priority is to utilize every opportunity. He noted: 'The competition is healthy. For me, it's purely about game time—getting out there and showing what I can do. I know where I want to come from; I have my goals, and this tournament gives me a great opportunity to show what I can do.'
The same sense of opportunity is shared by 21-year-old flanker Thando Biyela, who is preparing for his first Currie Cup match after captaining the Lions in the SA Cup Under-23 tournament this year. Biyela stated: 'We trained well over the last five or six weeks, and I think everyone is ready for the challenge. Every time you go to Bloemfontein, it's a tough game, but we are looking forward to it.'
The opening weekend also provides an early indication of the balance of power in the competition. The Pumas show momentum after another dominant campaign in the SA Cup, Griquas begin defending their title under pressure from the revamped Stormers, and Boland will test visiting teams in Wellington after an impressive semi-final performance last season. However, the situation is simpler for the Lions: after two consecutive final defeats, Sunday is not about reminiscing about what was lost, but about determining whether this new squad possesses the necessary depth, resilience, and ambition to finally advance further in 2026.
The Lions club announced the signing of several new players before the start of the Currie Cup on Sunday, as well as with an eye towards the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) season, according to the union on Thursday.
Among the new footballers are Springbok national player Siikumbuzo Notshe and playmaker Boeta Chamberlain. Siikumbuzo Notshe, a 33-year-old player, is returning to South Africa after playing for the French Top 14 club Montauban, where he played 43 matches over the last two seasons.
Hyron Andrews, Dan Casenda, and J.P. du Prez are also returning to the country. Defender Andrews previously played for the English club Sale Sharks, starting a short-term loan there in 2024, and remained in Manchester for three years. Du Prez, another defender, is returning after a short period in Japan, where he joined Red Hurricanes Osaka from Glasgow Warriors, and before that played for Sale Sharks, leaving the country for the first time in 2020.
Winger Casenda is more closely linked to South Africa, as he has been playing for the Welsh side Ospreys since 2023. The Lions also attracted talented playmaker Boeta Chamberlain, who previously played for Bulls and Sharks, and spent a season of 13 matches at Red Bull Newcastle in England last year.
The Doornfontein team strengthened its midfield by adding former Springbok junior Asad Musa, aged 22. His arrival may indicate the possible retirement of Morne van den Berg, Nico Stein, or Hassim Pedda in the union.
The Lions Currie Cup team will begin its campaign on Sunday against Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein (match starts at 13:00). The first URC match is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, against Leinster at the newly named 10Bet Ellis Park stadium.
