Coach Andy Farrell has picked two South Africans in his first Lions squad as the touring team prepares for a warmup match against Argentina.
Two former Junior Springboks are in Farrell’s 23-man matchday squad in Dublin on Friday night, with Duhan van der Merwe starting on the left wing and loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman aiming to show his scrumming power off the bench.
Farrell has selected close to what many feel is his strongest available team for the Los Pumas clash, opting for Fin Smith over England teammate Marcus Smith in the pivotal flyhalf position. Marcus will however get to put his creativity on display and test the Argentine defence from fullback.
Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipolotu form a daunting centre pairing with Maro Itoje leading the side from the second row.
England players dominate the squad with 11, followed by six Ireland internationals, four from Scotland and a pair of Wales players.
The Lions take on the Pumas at the Aviva Stadium in the 1888 Cup, marking the first time the team plays on Irish soil. Kick-off is at 9pm SA time.
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Our team to face Argentina in Dublin! 🦁#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 18, 2025
British & Irish Lions — 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge
Bench: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Elliot Daly, 23 Mack Hansen
Photo: Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images
