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The Lions will travel to Mbombela this weekend where they will face old foes, the New Nation Pumas in the first round of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious competition, the Carling Currie Cup.
Lions head coach, Ivan van Rooyen, has picked a side filled with experience and youth, which will be captained by Francke Horn, who has returned from injury.
Exciting youngsters like Morne Brandon, Banele Mthenjane, Ruhan Straeuli, Emmanuel Tshituka and Aidynn Cupido will all look to make their debuts from the bench.
“We look forward to an exciting Currie Cup season, where we will play matches with very short turn-around times. Our next match will already be on Wednesday, 23 June at Emirates Airline Park when we will host DHL Western Province,” Rudolf Straeuli, CEO of Lions Rugby Company commented.
Lions: EW Viljoen; Jamba Ulengo, Manuel Rass, Dan Kriel, Rabz Maxwane; Fred Zeilinga, Dillon Smit; Francke Horn (capt) , Vincent Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangweni, Reinhard Nothnagel, Willem Alberts, Carlu Sadie, PJ Botha, Nathan McBeth. Replacements: Morne Brandon, Banele Mthenjane, Ruan Dreyer, Ruhan Straeuli, Emmanuel Tshituka, Ross Cronjé, Aidynn Cupido, Duncan Matthews