Ex-Bulls bruiser gets Lions shot

11/26/2024 08:24 AM

A former Bulls loose forward is set to play his first Vodacom URC game in over a year after being named in the Lions’ 26-man squad travelling to Ireland to face Munster.

The Lions on Tuesday named their 26-man travelling squad to tackle the 2023 champions in Limerick on Saturday night.

The squad has a familiar look to it, with only a notable change from the side that went down to Leinster in Dublin before the international break.

Renzo du Plessis, who came off the bench against Leinster for his fifth appearance of the season, has not been included in the squad.

Taking the 22-year-old loose forward’s spot in the squad, is former Vodacom Bulls back rower WJ Steenkamp.

The 24-year-old, who made the switch to the Lions in the off-season, is in contention to make his first Vodacom URC appearance since playing off the bench for the Bulls against Leinster in April 2023.

Comfortable at both blindside flank and No 8, Steenkamp made 17 appearances during his time at Loftus Versfeld – four of those in the Champions Cup.

The Lions have otherwise kept a settled unit, with outside back Tapiwa Mafura up for his second appearance of the season after making his debut in the opener against Ulster.

Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images

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