Key Points
- Springbok scrum-half Morné van den Berg returns to the starting XV for the Lions, with Nico Steyn moving to the bench.
- Head coach Ivan van Rooyen named an entirely new front row of SJ Kotze, Tiaan Lange, and RF Schoeman.
- Flanker Siba Qoma starts after clearing concussion protocols, while lock Etienne Oosthuizen was passed fit following an injury against Edinburgh.
- The Lions complete their European tour against Glasgow Warriors in Round 5 of the United Rugby Championship at Scotstoun Stadium.
- Assistant coach Wessel Roux confirmed the squad worked on correcting set-piece communication errors during midweek training.
Glasgow (Edinburgh Daily) October 30, 2026 — The Johannesburg-based 10bet Lions franchise has announced significant squad adjustments ahead of their United Rugby Championship (URC) Round 5 battle against Scottish outfit Glasgow Warriors.
Head coach Ivan van Rooyen made several strategic alterations, particularly within the forward pack, following a disappointing away loss against Edinburgh. The alterations come as the South African team concludes its European tour at Scotstoun Stadium.
As reported by KickOff Rugby, the head coach opted for a newly assembled front row featuring loosehead prop SJ Kotze, hooker Tiaan Lange, and tighthead prop RF Schoeman. This complete reset up front is designed to restore set-piece dominance and apply pressure on the opposition scrum.
In the backline, the sole alteration sees Springbok Morné van den Berg reinstated at scrum-half. Van den Berg takes over from Nico Steyn, who performed as the starter last week and now shifts to the substitutes’ bench to offer tactical cover.
What Changes Have Been Made to the Lions Forward Pack?
The forward pack features both tactical reshuffles and vital returns from injury ahead of the Friday night fixture. Flanker Siba Qoma regains his place in the loose trio after successfully completing concussion protocols. He joins Siba Mahashe and team captain Francke Horn in the back row.
Lock Etienne Oosthuizen retains his place in the second row alongside Ruan Delport after clearing medical checks. Oosthuizen was forced off early during the match against Edinburgh, but tests confirmed he was fit to retain his starting berth.
The bench also receives significant reinforcement. Replacement players ready to make an impact include Morné Brandon, Boan Venter, Conraad van Vuuren, Dylan Sjoblom, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Nico Steyn, Richard Kriel, and Boeta Chamberlain.
As reported by Leighton Koopman of IOL Sport, the selection of Tiaan Lange represents a full debut start at hooker, while prop duo SJ Kotze and RF Schoeman are expected to “bring fresh energy to their scrum”.
How Are the Coaches Preparing for the Scotstoun Challenge?
The coaching staff acknowledged the scale of the challenge presented by Franco Smith’s Glasgow Warriors side, particularly given their home record and wet-weather discipline.
As reported by KickOff Rugby, Lions assistant coach Wessel Roux stated:
“They’re a really good side. Most of them are international players, really well coached by Franco [Smith], and they have a real attacking mindset with amazing skills in the wet. Their set-piece is also good.”
Addressing lineout mistakes from their previous fixture, Roux clarified that miscommunication had been the main factor and assured that measures were put in place during week-day preparation.
As reported by KickOff Rugby, Wessel Roux stated:
“We just had a combination of calls that were communicated incorrectly. Once or twice, we made the wrong call, so there was a communication issue, which is something we’ve worked on. It was just a combination of a few things, but we’ve spoken about it at length and found solutions.”
Background of the Particular Development
The 10bet Lions entered the current United Rugby Championship campaign seeking consistency across northern hemisphere tours. Touring in Scotland and Ireland has historically presented physical and atmospheric challenges for South African franchises, owing to differences in surface conditions and weather.
During Round 4, the Lions suffered a setback against Edinburgh where set-piece errors and discipline allowed the host team to control territory. Set-piece instability, particularly around lineout communication and scrum execution, proved costly in the second half. Consequently, head coach Ivan van Rooyen and assistant coach Wessel Roux targeted the front row and half-back axis for adjustments prior to heading to Glasgow.
Glasgow Warriors, coached by former Springbok Franco Smith, represent one of the standard-bearers in the competition, having claimed the URC title in recent seasons. Their squad boasts numerous Scottish internationals, making Scotstoun Stadium one of the toughest away venues in modern professional rugby union.
Prediction: How Will This Development Affect the Lions and Their Supporters?
The tactical changes made by Ivan van Rooyen are expected to directly influence both team momentum and fan expectations as the Lions wrap up their early-season overseas leg.
For the players, introducing a fresh front row and returning international experience through Morné van den Berg provides an immediate test of squad depth.
If the revised pack stabilizes the set-piece, it will grant fly-half Chris Smith clean ball to control the tempo of the game. A positive result at Scotstoun would send the franchise back to South Africa with high confidence before hosting home fixtures in Johannesburg.
For the supporters and broader South African audience, this development signals a clear proactive stance from management rather than reliance on fixed selections.
However, should lineout or scrum errors persist despite these personnel adjustments, public pressure on coaching decisions could intensify as the domestic block of the tournament approaches.
