THE Lions’ first step back to Super Rugby will be made when two 28-man sides take on the Leopards.
Lions Head Coach Johan Ackermann has announced two 28-man sides for this Friday evening’s encounters against the Leopards
The first match kicks off at 16:30 and the second will be played at 19:00 at Ellis Park.
Entrance to both matches is free to the public.
A rolling substitution system will be in place for both matches, as both games will act as opportunities to test and assess various combinations.
“There are quite a few players and positions that we will have to look at and this is a great opportunity for any of the players to make their mark in the final group,” said Ackerman at a Press Conference on Tuesday January 14.
“Some of our regular players such as Warren Whiteley, Franco van der Merwe and a few more will not play, but this is a chance for the other players to prove that they are worthy of a certain position in the team.”
The teams are:
Match 1: Lions vs Leopards, 16:30
15. Kobus de Kock
14. Ruhan Nel
13. Stokkies Hanekom
12. Adriaan Engelbrecht
11. Juan Swanepoel
10. Brendon Hewitt
9. Ricky Schroeder
8. Ruaan Lerm
7. Thabo Mamojele
6. Thabo Mabuza
5. Hugo Kloppers
4. Lourence Erasmus
3. Nico van Zyl
2. Malcolm Marx
1. Tyson Mulamba
16. Mark Pretorius
17. David Kounga
18. Ruan Venter
19. MB Lusaseni
20. Stephan de Wit
21. Stephan Vermuelen
22. Jano Venter
23. Guy Cronje
24. Ruan van Rensburg
25. Carlisle Nel
26. Robert de Bruyn
27. Caswell Khoza
28. Hanco Deale
Match 2: Lions vs Leopards, 19:00
15. Coenie van Wyk
14. Vainon Willis
13. JW Jonker
12. Stefan Watermeyer
11. Courtnall Skosan
10. Willie du Plessis
9. Francois de Klerk
8. Willie Britz
7. Derick Minnie (c)
6. Warwick Tecklenburg
5. Franco Mostert
4. Rudi Mathee
3. Corne Fourie
2. Robbie Coetzee
1. Schalk van der Merwe
16. Willie Wepener
17. Charles Marais
18. Bees Roux
19. Martin Muller
20. Cyle Brink
21. Lambert Groenewald
22. Ross Cronje
23. Jaco van der Walt
24. Lionel Mapoe
25. Deon van Rensburg
26. Deon Helberg
27. Alwyn Hollenbach
28. Chrysander Botha