Springbok call-up sparks homecoming as Boan Venter swaps Edinburgh for the Lions
UNITED RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Boan Venter, centre, had his Springbok breakthrough in 2025, reigniting his career and paved the way for a return home, with the former Edinburgh prop set to join the Lions next year.
Image: AFP
A surprise Springbok call-up in July for Boan Venter has caused a 180-degree change of direction in his life, which will ultimately see him swap Edinburgh for Johannesburg.
Earlier in 2025, Venter was on the brink of being selected for Scotland by coach Gregor Townsend, but Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus threw a spanner in the works.
Venter made his Bok debut against Georgia and went on to play eight Tests for South Africa.
The loosehead prop ended the year with his stocks soaring after doing a superb job filling in for the injured Ox Nche. Venter started in the epic defeats of Ireland, Italy and France in November.
The son of Griquas great De Waal Venter, he captained Griquas at Craven Week level before earning selection for the South African Schools side to face Italy, England and Wales.
After playing for the Cheetahs, Venter spent the past six seasons with Edinburgh and appeared to have slipped off the Springbok radar. Last week, the Lions announced they had secured the signature of the 28-year-old — one of the better signings the franchise has made in recent years.
Venter says he is looking forward to being closer to family and friends in South Africa next year.
“The opportunities I have been given with the Springboks have been incredible, and I am very grateful for them. I have enjoyed every second I have been there,” Venter told Netwerk24 from Edinburgh.
Venter and his family will return to South Africa in mid-2026 after Edinburgh’s United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup campaigns have come to an end.
“Family has always been very important to my wife, Jacomi, and me, so it is a challenge to be so far away, especially with our little one, who turned seven months old this week,” said Venter.
“It is a good prospect knowing that we will be much closer to our family and friends. When we are there, we can get in the car for a long weekend and drive to the farm. We also have a lot of family and friends who live in or near Johannesburg.
“We’re very excited — we can’t wait to be back on home soil,” said the hard man from the Northern Cape.