Rugby
Eddie Davids stepping up for Lions─── ILSE SMALBERGER 12:40 Thu, 15 Jan 2026
The Suzuki Griquas Currie Cup-winning prop, Eddie Davids, is stepping it up for the Lions in Johannesburg.
The 27-year-old Davids, who was born in Bloemfontein, has joined the Lions on loan and gets the opportunity to play his rugby at United Rugby Championship (URC) and Champions Cup level. Davids has been included in the Lions touring squad for their two-game European tour over the coming weekends, firstly against Perpignan in France in the Challenge Cup and then Ospreys in Wales in the United Rugby Championship.
He says moving to Joburg and joining the Lions has been a massive step up for him, both on and off the field.
One of the mental and physical shifts he had to make at the Lions was to adapt from Currie Cup rugby to international club competition. Davids says the biggest difference is the consistency and intensity at this level.
“Every moment matters. There’s very little margin for error. Teams punish you quickly if you’re off by even a small amount. The physicality is definitely higher, but it’s also the speed of the decision making and the accuracy that really stands out for me, I would say,” he said. Helping him adjust to the difference in playing style and intensity is fellow prop and Springbok Asenathi Ntlabakanye.
“He brings so much power and experience to the pack, but for me, what’s impressed me the most about him is his work ethic and professionalism. I’ve learned a lot from him around set pieces, detail, and physical preparation.
‘Take it one game at a time’
He’s also a great presence in the group, very calm, an experienced head, and always willing to help the new and younger guys coming in.”
This weekend, Perpignan lies ahead for Davids and the Lions at Stade Aime Giral. Perpignan are currently one spot above them on the table on points’ difference and find themselves in a similar situation to the Lions to remain in the top four, as a victory for the Dragons against Newcastle or a bonus-point win for Lyon against Benetton could jeopardise the losing team’s hopes of qualifying.
But according to Davids, the coaching staff’s instructions are clear: Take it one game at a time. Saturday’s match between the Lions and Perpignan kicks off at 19:30.
