Lions field 9 Boks for #SuperheroSunday

Former Springbok captain Warren Whiteley will lead out a strong looking Emirates Lions squad for their #SuperheroSunday clash with the Cell C Sharks this coming weekend at the Cape Town Stadium.

After the Lions played a very young squad against the Vodacom Bulls in their opening pre-season clash, they have decided to let a lot of their seasoned campaigners loose for the clash, with nine Springboks in the starting line-up.

New arrival Carlu Sadie, who has been on loan from the Stormers will get his first start at tighthead alongside Bok Malcolm Marx and Dylan Smith while Marvin Orie is partnered with the young Ruan Vermaak at lock.

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The loose trio is led by Whiteley and has the hard-working Kwagga Smith at six, with the impressive Hacjivah Dayimani at seven, signalling the Lions quest to play some open “festival rugby” this weekend.

Elton Jantjies and Nic Groom will be the halfback combination with the back three all Springboks in Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan and Aphiwe Dyantyi, while Harold Vorster and Lionel Mapoe will form the backbone in the midfield.

On the bench the name of Springbok Ruan Combrinck stands out while former Western Province and Bulls tighthead Frans van Wyk will also get a run.

Emirates Lions: Andries Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Jantjies, Nic Groom, Warren Whiteley (captain), Hacjivah Dayimani, Kwagga Smith, Marvin Orie, Ruan Vermaak, Carlu Sadie, Malcolm Marx, Dylan Smith.

Reserves: Pieter Jansen, Danie Mienie, Frans van Wyk, Jacobie Adriaanse, Marnus Schoeman, Dillon Smith, Shaun Reynolds, Sylvian Mahuza, Ruan Combrinck, Vincent Tshituka, Rhyno Herbst.