Quan gives the Lions horns in Montpellier

01/10/2025 08:21 AM

The Lions have recalled Springbok fullback Quan Horn for the EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Montpellier in France on Saturday.

Horn marks one of six changes to the team that went down 29-10 to the Stormers in Cape Town two weeks ago as the Lions attempt to retain their place in the playoff race when they square up against 2016 winners Montpellier at the GGL Stadium in the south of France.

The 23-year-old who made his Test debut against Portugal last year takes over from Tapiwa Mafura in a new-look back three with fellow Bok flyer Edwill van der Merwe and rookie finisher Kelly Mpeku making his Lions bow on the right wing in place of Rabz Maxwane.

In other changes, Morne van den Berg drops out and is replaced at scrumhalf by Nico Steyn, with Sanele Nohamba providing cover from the bench.

Izan ver der Westhuizen starts at blindside flank in a rejigged back row with WJ Steenkamp on the openside and Francke Horn at No 8, while Etienne Oosthuizen packs down at lock for the suspended Ruben Schoeman and Jaco Visagie slides in at No 2, bumping Piet Visagie to a 6-2 bench that features JC Pretorius and Ruhan Straeuli.

Having started the season with four straight wins to power into second place on the URC table, the Lions have since lost four of their last five matches.

In the Challenge Cup, they followed up a 30-14 loss at Ospreys with a 43-35 victory over Pau at Ellis Park, and consequently head into round 3 in fourth place in group 2 – the top four teams in each group after four rounds advance to the playoffs.

Your Emirates Lions side to take on Montpellier this Saturday.
Montpellier
: Sat, 11 Jan
: 19:30
: GGL Stadium#ForOurCity#ChallengeCupRugby#LionsPridepic.twitter.com/DmeToKfu3w

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) January 10, 2025

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images

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