The Lions have unveiled a batch of new signings ahead of the start of the Currie Cup this weekend, the union revealed on Thursday, with an eye no doubt on the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
The new players include Springbok and former Stormers and Sharks loose-forward Sikhumbuzo Notshe. The 33-year-old returns to South Africa after a stint at French Top 14 club Montauban, where he played 43 games for that team over the last two seasons.
He is followed by Hyron Andrews, Dan Kasenda and JP du Preez in returning to the country. Lock Andrews has been plying his trade at English club Sale Sharks, starting on a short-term loan in 2024, only to remain in Manchester for three years.
Fellow lock Du Preez, meanwhile, returns after a short shift in Japan after joining Red Hurricanes Osaka from Glasgow Warriors, and before that Sale Sharks, since first departing the country in 2020. Wing Kasenda has been more in contact with SA, having played for the Welsh outfit Ospreys since 2023.
The Lions have also signed the services of the mercurial and former Bulls and Sharks flyhalf Boeta Chamberlain, who enjoyed a 13-match season with Red Bull Newcastle in England this past year.
The Doornfontein-based side have also added to their scrumhalf stocks with former Junior Springbok Asad Moos. The 22-year-old’s addition could signal that either of Morne van den Berg, Nico Steyn or Hasshim Pead’s time at the union might be coming to an end.
The Lions start their Currie Cup campaign on Sunday against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein (kick-off 1pm). Their opening game of the URC is on Saturday, September 25 against Leinster at the newly named 10Bet Ellis Park.
