The 24-year-old Horn, who holds the distinction of being the first Springbok to hail from the Karoo town of De Aar, takes over the captaincy following a knee injury sustained by hooker PJ Botha during the Lions’ 67-19 demolition of the Boland Cavaliers in Johannesburg last week. Ironically, Horn’s father, Ian Horn, represented the Griquas during his playing days.

Franco Marais comes into the starting XV as cover for Botha. In addition, the powerhouse Springbok tighthead prop, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who currently has a doping charge hanging over his head, has been named in the front row for the final.

Dylan Sjöblom still played for the Griquas up until the end of the SA Cup. Photo: Morgan Piek

Earlier this week, Ntlabakanye was voted the Lions’ Players’ Player of the Year. He has been training with the team for the past two weeks. RF Schoeman, who started at tighthead against Boland, shifts to the bench to make way for Ntlabakanye.

Lions coach, Mziwakhe Nkosi, explained that although Ntlabakanye has been charged, he has not yet been suspended and is therefore eligible to play until his hearing in December. “Asa will play, and he will start. We might as well be upfront about it,” said Nkosi.

“He’s obviously been charged formally, but he hasn’t been suspended. In the meantime, he’s a contracted, regular player for the Lions, so he will play until his hearing in December.

“Importantly, we’ve had a chat with him. It’s taken him a couple of weeks to come to terms with everything and to put together the case he’ll present. But emotionally, he’s in a good space. In fact, he’s the vice-captain for the weekend.

“I can also say, on behalf of the chairman and the CEO, that there’s a lot of support for him. The cards will fall where they may, but we’ll be right behind him.

“He’s emotional at the moment, but he’s trained with us for the past two weeks. We’re looking forward to seeing him out there, and this is the right time for him, especially with the upcoming URC tour in mind.”

Rynhardt Jonker played for the Griquas in the 2022 Currie Cup final. Photo: Morgan Piek

Saturday’s Currie Cup final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg kicks off at 15:00.

Lions – 15 Quan Horn (captain), 14 Kelly Mpeku, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Richard Kriel, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 WJ Steenkamp, 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Raun Delport, 4 Dylan Sjöblom, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marains, 1 SJ Kotze

Replacements – 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 RF Schoeman, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Haashim Read, 22 Lubabalo Dobela, 23 Rynhardt Jonker

Griquas – 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Libenberg, 4 Derik Pretorius, 3 Cebo Dlamini (captain), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements – 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Pumzile Maqondwana, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh