Venter back, Mahashe starts for Lions against Sharks

The Lions have been boosted by the return of Springbok bruiser Ruan Venter ahead of their rescheduled Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 8 fixture against the high-flying Hollywoodbets Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Venter slots into the back row after serving a four-match suspension, a sanction he received against the same opposition in January this year where his team snatched a one-point victory in the dying minutes. The powerful No 7 slots in for the exciting Junior Springbok Batho Hlekani, who provides cover from the replacements bench.

Another Junior Springbok in the from of Siba Mahashe also receives an opportunity in the starting XV, after making his senior international debut for the Lions in December 2025. The former Hudson Park pupil will be in good company in a combination featuring Venter and skipper Francke Horne.

Prominent line-out jumper Darrien Landsberg runs out for 50th international appearances for the franchise on Saturday as he partners Etienne Oosthuizen in the second row.

Earlier this week, Lions assistant coach Wessel Roux praised his opponents’ dominance over recent weeks in local derbies.

“The Sharks pack is firing quite nicely. They’re brave and creative and were dominant in both games against the Stormers. They’re a world-class pack and a world-class team.”

Roux also emphasised the importance of focusing on the basics while showing up physically against the Durbanites.

“It’s a focus for us to get our fundamentals right and to try and get physical dominance because we know the Sharks are a big physical threat. It feels like a Test match we’re having to prepare for,” he concluded.

In the backline, winger Kelly Mpeku returns to the back three alongside Angelo Davids and Springbok fullback Quan Horn.

Lions starting XV: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids; 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg; 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Siba Mahashe; 5 Darrien landsberg, 4 Ettienne Oosthuizen; 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Francois Marais, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Eddie Davids, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Batho Hlekani, 21 Renzo du Plessis, 22 Haashim Pead, 23 Erich Cronje.

Hollywoodbets Sharks starting XV: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Jurenzo Julius, 11 Jaco Williams; 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Jaden Hendrikse; 8 Thomas Dyer, 7 Vincent Tshituka (capt), 6 Tino Mavesere; 5 Jason Jenkins, 4 Corne Rahl; 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane. Replacements: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Emile van Heerden, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Jordan Hendrikse, 23 Yaw Penxe.

SATURDAY

Lions v Hollywoodbets Sharks

Ellis Park, Johannesburg – KO 12pm IRE & UK/1pm ITA/2pm SA

Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU, 12th league game)

AR 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU) AR 2: Zoe Naude (SARU)

TMO: Quinton Immelman (SARU)

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