Steenkamp surprise as Lions prepare to tackle Munster

WJ Steenkamp will tour with the Lions squad to face Munster. | Backpagepix

WJ Steenkamp will tour with the Lions squad to face Munster. | Backpagepix

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Mike Greenaway

Former Bulls loose-forward WJ Steenkamp is the bolter in the Lions squad that tackles Munster in Limerick this weekend

The 24-year-old takes the place of Renzo du Plessis and last played for the Bulls against Leinster in April 2023. Steenkamp played No 8 and blindside flank in his 17 appearances for the Bulls.

An unfortunate omission from an otherwise settled squad is Bok Ruan Venter. The powerful flanker was in line for selection for the Springbok end-of-year tour but had a shoulder operation in October.

Venter, who picked up the injury in the defeat of Ulster in September, is expected to make his comeback early next year. He made his debut for the Boks in the June Test against Portugal.

The fourth-placed Lions will be confident of beating a Munster side in disarray this season. They recently fired their coach, Graham Rountree, and have sunk to 12th place on the points table.

Lions touring squad

Forwards: PJ Botha, Jarod Cairns, Ruan Delport, Francke Horn, Franco Marais, Morgan Naude, Reinhard Nothnagel, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, JC Pretorius, Sibabalo Qoma, Ruben Schoeman, RF Schoeman, WJ Steenkamp, Conraad van Vuuren; Backs: Erich Cronje, Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Marius Louw, Tapiwa Mafura, Sanele Nohamba, Nico Steyn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk, Kade Wolhuter