The Sigma Lions’ newest recruit, former Cell C Sharks halfback Sanele Nohamba will make his debut for his new team on Friday night when they face the Toyota Cheetahs in a Carling Currie Cup game in Johannesburg.
Nohamba was released from his contract by the Sharks a few weeks back and has been training with the Lions team for some time now, but has not got the chance to show his skills after falling out of favour in Durban.
He faces stiff opposition at the Lions with the likes of Andre Warner and Morne van den Berg, but Friday night’s game is the first start he gets in the competition.
Warner is captain for Friday night’s game as the Lions have added a number of their regulars from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship to the side.
The Lions have included Emmanuel Tshituka, who has been one of the standouts in their URC campaign while Mannie Rass forms a midfield with Junior Springbok midfielder Henko van Wyk.
Jaco Visagie is in at hooker, while Fred Zeilinga at flyhalf, Tiaan Swanepoel at fullback, former Brumbie JP Smith at loosehead and Jannie du Plessis on the bench give the team some much-needed experience.
Sigma Lions: Tiaan Swanepoel; Boldwin Hansen, Henco van Wyk, Mannie Rass, Steam Pienaar; Fred Zeilinga, Andre Warner (captain); Jarod Cairns, Emmanuel Tshituka, Sibusiso Sangweni, Cal Smid, Lunga Ncube, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Jaco Visagie, JP Smith.
Replacements: Morne Brandon, Heiko Pohlmann, Jannie du Plessis, Junior White, Lindo Ncusane, Sanele Nohamba, Luke Rossouw, Ilunga Mukendi.