Rugby
Lions secure both of De Aar’s Springboks─── MORGAN PIEK 06:36 Tue, 16 Dec 2025
The Lions have continued to reinforce their squad with another high-profile signing, confirming on Monday that Springbok prop Boan Venter will join the Johannesburg-based franchise in July 2026.
The 28-year-old loosehead, who hails from De Aar and is the cousin of current Lions and Springbok fullback Quan Horn, will return to South Africa after six successful seasons with Scottish side Edinburgh.
His arrival adds further depth and Test experience to a Lions group that has already secured the services of Springboks Ruan Venter, Morné van den Berg and Horn.
Venter began his professional career with the Toyota Cheetahs before moving to Edinburgh in 2020, where he established himself as one of the United Rugby Championship’s most reliable front-row forwards.
He went on to earn 94 caps for the Scottish club, building a reputation for his powerful ball-carrying, high work rate and scrummaging solidity.
Quan Horn on debut for the Springboks against Portugal in Bloemfontein. Photo: Morgan Piek
Having initially been touted as a potential Scottish international, any speculation around his allegiance was put to rest when he made his Springbok debut in July against Georgia.
Venter earned cap number 950 for South Africa and marked the milestone in style, scoring a try in the emphatic 55–10 victory at the Mbombela Stadium.
He has since gone on to collect eight Test caps, featuring prominently in notable wins over Argentina in Durban, France in Paris and Ireland in Dublin, underlining his growing importance at international level.
Quan Horn captained the Lions in the 2025 Currie Cup final against the Suzuki Griquas. Photo: Morgan Piek
Venter’s signing is expected to significantly bolster the Lions’ pack, where he will link up with fellow Springbok forwards Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Ruan Venter, while adding further experience to a squad that already includes Van den Berg and Horn.
With his blend of physicality and proven consistency, the De Aar-born prop shapes as a key addition as the Lions continue to build towards sustained success in the URC and beyond.
Rugby pedigree runs deep in the family, with Venter146s father, De Waal Venter (prop), and Horn’s father, Ian Horn (winger), both having represented the Griquas at provincial level.
