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Junior Springbok World Champion Hasshim Pead will make his senior debut for the Lions when he runs out for them in the 2025 Currie Cup.
Pead was named the Player of the Tournament following the Junior Boks' victory over New Zealand in the U20 World Championship final last Saturday.
The young talent boasted incredible numbers, even surpassing France megastar Antoine Dupont's record for running metres by a scrumhalf at the tournament, racking up 232m from 15 carries during the pool stages. Pead also scored six tries and assisted four.
He was one of three Junior Boks - the others being flyers Cheswill Jooste and the destructive Batho Hlekani - invited to train with the all-conquering senior Springboks at an upcoming training camp.
On Wednesday, Pead was also named in the Lions' Currie Cup squad, alongside Junior Bok teammates Gilermo Mentoe, Thando Biyela and Morne Venter.
Experienced hooker Jaco Visage will lead the Mziwakhe Nkosi-coached side once again. The duo led the Lions to the final in 2024, where they lost via a 60m Jordan Hendrikse penalty in the dying embers of the match.
Perhaps fittingly, the Lions get their Currie Cup campaign underway against the Sharks in Johannesburg on Friday.
Lions Currie Cup squad
Forwards: Jaco Visagie (c), SJ Kotze, Morgan Naude, Heiko Pohlmann, RF Schoeman, Conrad van Vuuren, Sebastian Lombard, Siya Dube, Stian de Bruyn, Franco Marais, Morne Brandon, Marno Grobbelaar, Thando Biyela, Raynard Roets, Darrien Landsberg, Dylan Sjoblom, Johnre Stopforth, Tiaan Wessels, Luca Ribbens, Renzoi du Plessis, Jarod Cairns, WJ Steenkamp, Izan Esterhuizen, Siba Zoma, Morne Venter.
Backs: Nico Steyn, Layton Horn, Zian Cilliers, Haashim Pead, Lubabalo Dobela, Sam Francis, Kade Wolhuter, Gianni Lombard, Tapiwa Mafura, Gilermo Mentoe, Rynhardt Jonker, Bingo Ivanisevic, Alzeadon Fleix, Kelly Mpeku, Bronson Mills, Manuel Rass, Rabz Maxwane, Angelo Davids, Likhona Finca, Keagan Smith, Michail Damon.
