The Lions have acquired the services of three Griquas players and a Vodacom Bulls lock on loan.

0 212 1 minute read

Lions send SOS to Currie Cup champs

Loosehead props Eddie Davids and Leon Lyons, along with hooker Janco Uys, have jetted into Joburg from Kimberley, while Dylan de Leeuw crosses the Jukskei.

De Leeuw represented the Junior Springboks and Western Province at junior and senior levels before signing for Zebre in 2023. He made just six appearances for the Italian club over two seasons and was part of the Bulls’ Currie Cup squad this year upon his return to South Africa

The Lions are second from bottom on the URC log after losing all three of their tour games to start the season.

Four South Africans are leading key statistics after three rounds of the Vodacom URC.

Bulls wing Sebastian de Klerk, Sharks scrumhalf/flyhalf Jaden Hendrikse, Lions scrumhalf Nico Steyn and Bulls loose forward Mpilo Gumede have all made a major impact early in the season.

De Klerk tops the competition for defenders beaten (15) after a blistering start that’s seen him torment opposition defences. Hendrikse leads the way for kicks in play (35), while Steyn has racked up the most passes (204). Gumede, meanwhile, is joint-leader for turnovers won (five), underlining his breakdown threat.

Overall top players after Round 3
Carries: Alun Lawrence (Cardiff) – 60
Defenders beaten: Sebastian de Klerk (Bulls) – 15
Kicks in play: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks) – 35
Lineout steals: Alex Soroka (Leinster) – 4
Lineouts won: Leonardo Krumov (Zebre) – 21
Metres: Josh McKay (Glasgow) – 238
Passes: Nico Steyn (Lions) – 204
Tackles: Harri Deaves (Ospreys) – 57
Tries: Louis Lynagh (Benetton), Tom Bowen (Cardiff) – 5 each
Turnovers won: Dan Thomas (Cardiff), Dewi Lake (Ospreys), Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton), Mpilo Gumede (Bulls) – 5 each

Top players from Round 3
Carries: Alun Lawrence (Cardiff) – 24
Defenders beaten: Ignacio Mendy (Benetton) – 11
Lineouts won: Alex Soroka (Leinster) – 10
Metres: Ignacio Mendy (Benetton) – 170
Passes: George Horne (Glasgow) – 85
Tackles: Alun Lawrence (Cardiff) – 26