Impressive young No 8 Travis Gordon will captain a strong Fidelity ADT Lions side as they head into Saturday’s Currie Cup opener against DHL Western Province at Emirates Airline Park.
Gordon, a born and bred Joburger, will take the lead for the team while there are a number of Vodacom United Rugby Championship stars that have been selected for the clash as the Lions look to make a positive start.
An experienced front row with Sti Sithole, Jaco Visagie and Ruan Smith show just how serious the Lions are taking the clash, while Darrien-Lane Landsberg is back from an injury and will partner Pieter Jansen van Vuren in the engine room.
Sibusiso Sangweni headlines a loose trio that with Ruan Delport and Gordon can do some damage while Morne van den Berg is keen to stake a claim at nine with former Bulls junior player Vaughan Isaacs at 10.
Tiaan Swanepoel’s massive boot has been absent from the Lions season thus far, and he finally gets a chance to show his worth at fullback, while Tyler Bocks and Matt More are a more than capable midfield.
On the bench the Lions have gone with a six-two split with Jarrod Cairns and Ruhan Straeuli part of their own bomb squad.
Fidelity ADT Lions: Tiaan Swanepoel; Steam Pienaar, Matt More, Tyler Bocks, Baldwin Hansen; Vaughan Isaacs, Morne van den Berg; Travis Gordon (captain), Ruan Delport, Sibusiso Sangweni, Darrian-Lane Landsberg, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Ruan Smith, Jaco Visagie, Sti Sithole.
Replacements: Michael van Vuuren, Morgan Naude, Kabous Bezuidenhout, Raynard Roets, Ruhan Straeuli, Jarod Cairns, Nico Steyn, Zeilinga Strydom.