Simon Thomas profiles Tinus de Beer ahead of the Lions' URC clash with the Bulls, a fixture that carries personal significance for the loosehead. The piece traces de Beer's development from a notably slight youngster into a professional prop — a physical transformation that sits at the heart of the feature.
The analytical angle here is really about late-developer narratives in South African rugby, and what de Beer's journey says about player development pathways at franchise level. If you're interested in how the Lions are building their pack and the backstory of one of their front-row prospects, this one is worth the read.