Marvel fans, assemble. The action-packed Vodacom Superhero Sunday (VSHS) will rock rugby fans when the four South African franchises assemble on Sunday.
VSHS will take place on January 19 at the FNB Stadium. The first match between Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers will kick-off the proceedings at 1pm and will be followed by Vodacom Bulls and Emirates Lions at 3.15pm.
For the first time these matches will be played in Joburg, bringing spectators of all the teams together to watch at one stadium.
After what feels like some painfully long days, the Emirates Lions will roar back into action this weekend for the start of their pre-season match against the Vodacom Bulls in a top flight encounter.
The Super Rugby season will commence on January 31 and the home side’s first match will be played on February 2 against the Jaguares.
Emirates Lions head coach Ivan ‘Cash’ van Rooyen has announced his team for the VSHS match against the Vodacom Bulls which features a mix between experienced players, up-and-coming youngsters and a couple of new faces in the outfit.
The management team of the Lions will see former captain Warren Whiteley in his new position as line-out coach, while a new department has been created with Philip Lemmer as the collision and rucking coach.
The Emirates Lions SuperRugby squad will be announced on Monday.
Vodacom Superhero Sunday
Emirates Lions vs Vodacom Bulls (FNB Stadium, 3.15pm):
Dylan Smith, Pieter Jansen, Jannie du Plessis, Ruben Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Marnus Schoeman, Vincent Tshituka, Len Massyn, André Warner, Elton Jantjies (captain), Courtnall Skosan, Dan Kriel, Duncan Matthews, Jamba Ulengo, Tiaan Swanepoel. Bench: Jan-Henning Campher, Sti Sithole, Frans van Wyk, Roelof Smit, Cyle Brink, Morné van der Berg, Manuel Rass, Tyrone Green, Jo-Hanko de Villiers, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Jan-Louis la Grange, Wandisile Simelane.
Lions to support fight against Australia bushfires
The Lions Rugby Company and the Emirates Lions team want to support the fight against the bushfires in Australia and will be making a contribution to Wires (Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service).
It is impossible to know how many animals have perished and it will be many months before the impact on wild populations can be better understood, but ecologists at the University of Sydney have estimated over 800 million animals have been affected in Australia since September.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will definitely make an impact and your support would be greatly appreciated.
Wires, based in New South Wales, needs urgent assistance to help with these unprecedented emergencies.
The Emirates Lions will host a breakfast in Sydney ahead of their Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Waratahs (February 26). All proceeds of the event will go to Wires who have confirmed their attendance at the breakfast.
We urge you to open your hearts and your pockets and join us in helping this worthy cause. To donate, visit https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund
Charities
The Lions Rugby Company remains loyal to their chosen charities, namely Els for Autism and the Blue Pie Foundation, but will focus on Wires during the early part of Vodacom Super Rugby.
