Morné van den Berg

Born on 24 October 1997, Morne van den Berg has built a reputation as one of South Africa's most tenacious scrum-halves through his work with the Lions. His game is defined by a sharp, accurate service, an eye for the quick-tap penalty and a defensive appetite that belies the demands of the number nine jersey. After establishing himself as a key figure in the Lions' spine, his consistent form was rewarded with a call-up to the Springboks in 2024, a significant milestone in his career. For the Lions he serves as the crucial link between forwards and backs, delivering clean ball and injecting tempo into the side's attacking play. His combination of pace, game management and competitiveness at the base makes him a vital cog in the Johannesburg side's structure, and his elevation to the national squad reflects the standards he has set at franchise level over a sustained period.