Lions name three Springboks for All Blacks tour match at Ellis Park

The Lions have selected three Springboks in their starting team for Tuesday night’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour match against the All Blacks at Ellis Park. Francke Horn will captain the side from No 8, while Quan Horn starts at fullback and the returning Boan Venter and Sikhumbuzo Notshe are included in the wider matchday squad.

New Zealand return to the venue after beating South Africa 33-16 there on Saturday. The Lions’ selection gives the visitors another South African challenge, with Quan Horn named at the back alongside Kelly Mpeku and Erich Cronjé on the wings.

Richard Kriel and Henco van Wyk will combine in midfield, while Chris Smith takes the fly-half position. Nico Steyn starts at scrumhalf ahead of Haashim Pead after being involved in a Springbok alignment camp this year. Pead is among the replacements.

Horn’s loose-forward partners are Batho Hlekani and Siba Mahashe. Ruan Delport and Etienne Oosthuizen form the second row, with SJ Kotze, PJ Botha and Sebastian Lombard selected in the front five. The starting team gives the Lions a settled spine around their captain while adding international experience to the squad.

Venter, lock Hyron Andrews, Notshe and utility back Boeta Chamberlain are set to make their first appearances in Lions colours. Morné Brandon, RF Schoeman and JC Pretorius complete the remaining replacement options alongside the players already named. The match follows South Africa’s defeat by the All Blacks at Ellis Park, leaving the Lions with the task of facing New Zealand shortly after that result.