Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg has been handed the No 9 jersey for the Lions’ Vodacom URC clash against Benetton in Treviso on Saturday.
The Lions came agonisingly close to victory in Parma last week, leading with two minutes remaining before losing 22–20 to Zebre.
The narrow defeat followed their opening-round loss to Cardiff, leaving the Joburg-based side still searching for a first win of the campaign.
Coach Ivan van Rooyen has made three changes to his starting XV.
Van den Berg, who joined the squad this week after completing Rugby Championship duty, replaces Nico Steyn, who moves to the bench.
Fellow Bok Asenathi Ntlabakanye regains the No 3 jersey, with RF Schoeman among the replacements.
Ruan Delport and Etienne Oosthuizen form a familiar lock pairing.
In the back row, JC Pretorius makes his first appearance of the season after recovering from injury, taking the place of Renzo du Plessis, with Ruan Venter lining up on the other side of the scrum and Francke Horn continuing his role of captain from No 8.
SMITH: Lions brace for Benetton beast
Van Rooyen has opted for continuity elsewhere, retaining Chris Smith at flyhalf, while Angelo Davids, who has scored in both tour matches, joins Eduan Keyter and Springbok fullback Quan Horn in an explosive back three.
On the bench, Jarod Cairns, Conrad van Vuuren, Sam Francis, and Manuel Rass are recalled to provide fresh options, while Juan Schoeman, PJ Botha, Heiko Pohlmann, Jaco Visagie, Siba Qoma, and Rabz Maxwane are among those sidelined due to injury.
LOUBSCHER: Benetton bring huge fight
The Lions face a stern test in Treviso against a Benetton side coming off a thrilling 16-14 win over 2023-24 champions the Glasgow Warriors.
Kick-off is at 4pm (SA time).
LIONS – 15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 JC Pretorius, 5 Ruan Delport, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze.
Bench: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Jarod Cairns, 21 Nico Steyn, 22 Sam Francis, 23 Manuel Rass.
Locked in. 🔒
Here’s how we line up to face Benetton this Saturday in Treviso.
🆚 @BenettonRugby
🗓: Sat, 11 Oct
⏰: 16:00
🏟: Stadio Monigo
@Vodacom #URC | #ForOurCity | #BENvLIO
#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/WXGCAyCLl8— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) October 10, 2025
Photo: Chris Fairweather/Gallo Images
