Rookie loose forward Jarod Cairns inspired by the Lions' Springbok contingent

LIONS loose forward Jarod Cairns has set a goal of making it to the top level of rugby and one day pulling the Springbok jersey over his head.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

It's a significant driving factor in his game, but performing for the Lions in the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Challenge Cup remains the top priority for the budding fetcher.

Cairns made the step up from junior rugby to the URC level successfully.

He has been one of the revelations for the Lions while they are grinding to a first-ever top-eight finish in the competition. The 23-year-old competes with former Blitzbok JC Pretorius and another young player, Renzo du Plessis, for the Lions' No. 6 jersey. He has been interchanging with Pretorius, but they both maintain the standard, especially at the breakdown, whoever gets the start on a match day.

"The competition for that jersey is lekker between JC and me," Cairns said.