Springbok prop Boan Venter is set to face the Bulls in his first Highveld derby when the Lions take on their opponents in a United Rugby Championship clash in Pretoria on Saturday. The Lions, third on the 16-team log, are looking to maintain their impressive start to the season, having beaten Leinster and the Ospreys. Venter, 29, believes the Lions' powerful forward pack will need to produce another big performance against a Bulls side renowned for its set-piece strength and physicality.
Venter, who signed with the Lions in December 2025 on a three-year deal, is ideally equipped to appreciate the challenge. A product of Kimberley who came through at senior level with the Cheetahs, he moved to Edinburgh in 2021 and spent five seasons establishing himself as one of the most respected props in the United Rugby Championship. He played 108 games for the Scottish club between 2021 and 2026, scoring an impressive 18 tries.
The Bulls returned to Pretoria after an overseas tour that produced a win over Zebre and a narrow defeat by Munster, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions about their form. Venter said it's tough to judge the Bulls' two games, but noted that their set-piece is going strong as always and they are physical, which is what they have been known for over the last few years.
Venter's real first name is Abram, and it was Rassie Erasmus who ensured his international future would be with South Africa when he selected the 1.87m, 125kg prop for the Test against Georgia in Mbombela in July 2025. Venter marked his Springbok debut by scoring a try and has since won seven Test caps. His return to South Africa has also given him the opportunity to pass on lessons learned at the highest level.
Venter made his Lions debut against the All Blacks during the series, an experience that reinforced his belief in the importance of getting the fundamentals right. For a Lions pack that has made an imposing start to the URC season, that means ensuring the set-piece remains a foundation of their game when they meet the Bulls.
Venter said the experience at the Boks is just a different class, and the guys he gets to scrum against in the Springbok camp teach him a lot of lessons. It's nice to be able to bring that back to the Lions and work with the younger guys and keep learning so they can move forward. The set-piece plays a massive role, as seen in the Greatest Rivalry with the Boks.
Venter is looking forward to the derby, saying it's definitely a bit more personal. The Lions know all of the guys personally on the Bulls side, and some of them are good mates. It's a completely different challenge to their first two games, but it's a good vibe in camp. Venter believes the Lions need to match fire with fire to see who comes out on top against the Bulls.
Key points
- The Lions will face the Bulls in a United Rugby Championship clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
- Boan Venter is set to face the Bulls in his first Highveld derby.
- The Lions are third on the 16-team log after beating Leinster and the Ospreys.
