Fidelity SecureDrive announced as Lions sponsor

The Lions Rugby Company is proud to announce Fidelity SecureDrive as the official team sponsor of the senior rugby team for the remainder of the 2025/26 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season. As part of the partnership, the team will now be known as the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions.

The Fidelity SecureDrive logo will appear on the front of the Lions jersey, marking the first appearance of the new branding as the Johannesburg franchise hosts the DHL Stormers at Ellis Park Stadium for Round 12 of the international competition.

This new collaboration brings together two proudly South African institutions with deep roots in safety, performance, and national pride. Fidelity SecureDrive, part of the Fidelity Services Group stable, builds on decades of experience in protecting South African families, businesses, and communities. With a heritage founded on trust, innovation, and operational excellence, the brand continues to evolve its technology-driven solutions to meet modern security challenges - now extending that presence into elite professional sport.

Wahl Bartmann, Group CEO of Fidelity Services Group, commented: “For more than six decades, Fidelity has been part of the fabric of South Africa’s safety and security landscape. Our heritage is built on courage, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to protecting what matters most. Rugby represents those same values - resilience under pressure, teamwork, and pride in performance. Partnering with the Lions is a natural extension of who we are as a proudly South African organisation. This sponsorship is not just about visibility; it is about aligning with excellence and supporting a team that inspires communities across the country.”

Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of Lions Rugby Company, added: “We are delighted to welcome Fidelity SecureDrive as an extension of a long-standing, successful partnership with the Fidelity Group. Their focus on innovation and safety speaks directly to our values and the ambition we have as a team. Having them on the front of our jersey is a proud moment for the club, and we cannot wait to run out as the Fidelity SecureDrive Lions this Saturday against the DHL Stormers. This partnership represents a significant step in strengthening our brand and building long-term stability for the team.”

In team news, head coach Ivan van Rooyen has announced a strong lineup ahead of their tussle with the coastal side.

Fresh from a 34-22 bonus point win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks last Saturday, the Johannesburg side approach the Origin themed round seventh on the standings, with a string on home games on the calender before travelling to Ireland for final two games of the regular season.

Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani enters the frame in the place of Springbok Ruan Venter who misses out due to a head injury suffered against the Durbanites last weekend. The Graeme College old boy Hlekani features in a formidable back row consisting of skipper Francke Horn and last week’s debutant Siba Mahashe.

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions assistant coach Jaque Fourie emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum ahead of this highly anticipated local derby.

“We’ve had a good week training,” said the former Bok centre but was cautious to point out that a job still needed to be done on Saturday.

“We haven't won anything, so we have to make sure we use the momentum and home ground advantage on Saturday. We must be up for it because we know the Stormers are coming here desperate especially after their two previous results against the Sharks,” he concluded.

Elsewhere, scrumhalf Nico Steyn provides cover at scrumhalf and flyhalf, while Westville Boys High old boy Siba Qoma returns from injury to offer impact when called upon.

Fidelity SecureDrive Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn (Paarl Boys High), 14 Kelly Mpeku (King Edwards VII), 13 Henco van Wyk (Monument), 12 Bronson Mills (King Edward VII), 11 Angelo Davids (Stellenberg High School); 10 Chris Smith (SACS), 9 Morne van den Berg (Hoërskool Linden); 8 Francke Horn (Paarl Boys High - captain), 7 Batho Hlekani (Graeme College), 6 Siba Mahashe (Hudson Park High School); 5 Darrien Landsberg (Northcliff High School), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen (Bersig Academy); 3 RF Schoeman (Hoërskool Frikkie Meyer), 2 PJ Botha (Monument), 1 SJ Kotze (Paarl Boys High). Replacements: 16 Franco Marais (Transvalia), 17 Eddie Davids (Hoërskool Fichardtpark), 18 Conrad van Vuuren (Hoërskool Nelspruit), 19 Reinhard Nothnagel (Monument), 20 Siba Qoma (Westville Boys), 21 Renzo du Plessis (Hoërskool Ben Vorster), 22 Nico Steyn (Glenwood Boys), 23 Erich Cronje (EG Jansen).

DHL Stormers starting XV: 15 Warrick Gelant (Outeniqua), 14 Dylan Maart (Klein Nederburg), 13 Wandisile Simelane (Jeppe), 12 Jonathan Roche (Bishops), 11 Leolin Zas (Hermanus); 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Bishops), 9 Stefan Ungerer (Maritzburg College); 8 Evan Roos (Paarl Boys), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon (Paul Roos), 6 Paul de Villiers (Oakdale); 5 JD Schickerling (Paarl Gim – captain), 4 Adré Smith (Oakdale); 3 Sazi Sandi (St Andrews), 2 JJ Kotzé (Paul Roos), 1 Ntuthuko Mchunu (Maritzburg College). Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter (Grey College), 17 Vernon Matongo (Northwood), 18 Zachary Porthen (Wynberg), 19 Connor Evans (Bishops), 20 Marcel Theunissen (Grey College), Hacjivah Dayimani (Jeppe), 22 Imad Khan (Bishops), 23 Jurie Matthee (Paarl Gim).

SATURDAY

Lions v DHL Stormers

Ellis Park, Johannesburg – KO 12.30pm IRE & UK/1.30pm ITA/2.30pm SA

Referee: Christopher Allison (SARU, 8th league game)

AR 1: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) AR 2: Stephen Geldenhuys (SARU)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv