The Lions team is facing a difficult task of balancing its squad within the Currie Cup tournament amid the upcoming visit of the All Blacks. Although attention is focused on the Currie Cup, four South African franchises are beginning to feel the pressure associated with the greatest rivalry in rugby (RGR).
The Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers have scheduled matches against the All Blacks next month. The Cape Town-based team will host the New Zealanders first on August 7th at the Cape Town Stadium. This will be followed by games against the Sharks and Bulls; the first match of the series is set for August 22nd, and the final tour match against the Lions is scheduled for the following Tuesday, after which the remaining three matches will take place.
The Stormers' match is just over two weeks away, and how the franchises balance their current obligations in the Currie Cup with their plans for the pre-season United Rugby Championship (URC) will be crucial for being able to play a respectable match against a strong opponent.
The young Currie Cup Lions team was actively preparing for its Day 2 match against the Pumas at Ellis Park on Saturday (starting at 15:00). Meanwhile, the URC squad is resting this week and will return next week to continue pre-season preparation.
In their opening tournament match, the Lions narrowly lost to the Free State Cheetahs with a score of 29-27, but this occurred with a relatively inexperienced 23-man squad. The squad included only players such as prop Morgan Naude and Conrad van Nieuwen, lock Ruan Delport, forwards Renzo du Plessis and Jarrod Cairns, halfback Sam Francis, winger Rabz Maxweyn, and centre Rinehardt Jonker.
In upcoming games, they will likely select mostly the same team, but there are already several players who can be used in the RGR match. On Tuesday, coach Mzwakhe Nkosi announced that they will continue to play with the current squad in the coming weeks, as player development is a key goal during this Cup campaign.
Nkosi stated: 'As we did in the last three Currie Cups, overall we will be playing with these guys.' He added: 'Part of the job here is introducing these guys to top-class rugby. We had many guys who performed excellently at the Under-23 level and deserve a chance. They are good enough to succeed.' He continued that they surrounded these players with several experienced athletes, such as du Plessis, Cairns, Maxweyn, Delport, and others like them, and hope that such an environment will yield a good result.
Nevertheless, Nkosi noted: 'Speaking of which, a large number of guys are training in the pre-season for the URC and RGR. Seeing the All Blacks, it won't be an easy game either. Dave (Rennie) is the new coach, so many guys will be trying to make an impression. This will be an important game for us, and we must try to field the best team the franchise can provide.'
It is understood that the Lions might be further strengthened for the RGR match due to the possible return of halfback Morne van den Berg and fullback Quan Horn. Both players are seeking game time—the former returns from a biceps injury, and the latter continues his preparation with the Springboks.
However, complicating the planning for the coming weeks is that the Lions will play against the Boland on August 14th, and then against the Sharks on Friday, August 21st. They will have two matches to potentially showcase more URC players, but they will also have to consider the very quick turnaround after the Durban game, which raises concerns about injuries.
Furthermore, both of these matches could determine their Currie Cup campaign, especially the fixture against the Sharks, so juggling priorities in the coming weeks will be a difficult task. Ultimately, they will have to choose between advancing in the Cup or achieving a respectable result against the second All Blacks team, which will still be formidable.
South Africa's coach Rassie Erasmus announced the intention to split the team roster after the first block of Rugby World Cup matches to prevent an early advantage by the All Blacks from New Zealand before the start of the great rivalry series.
According to Erasmus, about 26 players will travel to Argentina, while the remaining 15–17 athletes will stay home to prepare for the matches against the All Blacks. This decision is due to New Zealand's schedule.
The All Blacks are scheduled to play against the Stormers, Sharks, and Bulls before the first match of the great rivalry series, which will take place on August 22nd at Ellis Park stadium, and they will also play against the Lions three days later.
Erasmus emphasized that the main goal is to avoid a situation where players travel to Argentina while New Zealand calmly plays against South African franchises on their own territory. He noted the necessity of returning the players back as they are accustomed to the South African climate and stadiums before playing in the first test match.
The squad split will also allow the coach to carefully manage players returning from injuries, including star playmaker Siya Kolisi, captain Siya Kolisi, and blocker Eben Etzebeth.
However, Erasmus clarified that there will not be a uniform policy for the players remaining in the camp. He stated that individual athletes may be released to their franchises if they require valuable game experience. For example, he mentioned that Siya might be ready for the trip to Argentina, but might not be ready, and then he could play in a week.
Erasmus added that the South African team has already discussed this plan with the franchises, and every decision will be made considering the individual circumstances of the player. He stressed that releasing players will not be a mass event, but will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
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.
