The Lions have secured the services of one of their top stars - Springbok fullback Quan Horn - amid a lot of interest in his services from other unions.
Horn, who has played all his professional rugby at the Lions and became a Springbok there, decided to stay in Johannesburg after the Lions beat out offers from the Bulls and Sharks.
According to Supersport.com’s sources, the Lions made a massive offer to Horn to stay, beating out the big-money offer from the Sharks by some distance.
Given the Lions’ own smaller player budget in comparison to other franchises, it is a bit of a surprise.
From a rugby point of view, the Bulls saw Horn as the perfect successor for Springbok centurion Willie le Roux and felt his presence at Loftus would improve his career.
The Lions fullback has excelled in a team that has been mediocre at best under the current coaching team.
The Sharks move would have seen him compete with fellow Bok fullback Aphelele Fassi for a starting spot, which wouldn’t have made too much sense for his career outlook.
Stability and experience at fullback secured until 2028. Yes please!#ForOurCity
— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) December 9, 2025
#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/SW4qPYV0dM
Horn eventually signed until June 2028.
The Lions also snapped up another Bok in their ranks a day earlier, when Ruan Venter signed until 2028 as well.
The one-test Venter has had some injury issues in the past year, but is still one of the rising stars of SA Rugby.