Du Plessis gets first run for Lions, Jantjies to captain

Former Springbok tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis headlines a strong Emirates Lions side to face the Vodacom Bulls in their Vodacom Superhero Sunday clash this weekend.

Coach Ivan van Rooyen has mixed up his squads, but has a strong team for the main game on Sunday while the rest of his extended squad will line up in another friendly against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday afternoon.

Elton Jantjies will captain the side in a strong indication that he is the main candidate to lead the team into this year's Vodacom Super Rugby tournament, especially as halfback Ross Cronje is out for an undisclosed period.

Jantjies leads a side that includes a run for new recruits Dan Kriel (Stormers), Tiaan Swanepoel (West Harbour), Jamba Ulengo (Cheetahs), Du Plessis and Andre Warner (Bulls) and will see them tested well ahead of a tough season ahead.

Swanepoel, who left Western Province a year ago to play for West Harbour in the Shute Shield in Australia returns to take up the fullback role, with Ulengo, who has struggled with injuries over the past few seasons, and Courtnal Skosan taking the wing roles for the game.

Another former Bull, Duncan Matthews will partner Dan Kriel in the midfield, while Warner is Jantjies's partner at halfback.

Up front Du Plessis packs down alongside Pieter Jansen and Dylan Smith in the front row, while the hard-working lock duo of Ruben Schoeman and Bok Marvin Orie fill the engine room. Marnus Schoeman, Vincent Tshituka and Len Massyn are the loose trio.

The Lions have a large bench that includes regulars Tyrone Green and Wandisile Simelane, while another new recruit in Roelof Smit also is there.

• In the other game on Friday lock Wilhelm van der Sluys will lead out a team that includes a number of players who were in the Currie Cup last season.

The likes of Carlu Sadie, Dillon Smit, Shaun Reynolds, Stean Pienaar, Simelane and Jan-Louis la Grange will be familiar to the Lions' fans while SA under-20 star Asenathi Ntlabakanye and the impressive Francke Horn are on the bench.

Emirates Lions (to face Vodacom Bulls in Superhero Sunday): Tiaan Swanepoel, Jamba Ulengo, Duncan Matthews, Dan Kriel, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies (Captain), Andre Warner; Len Massyn, Vincent Tshituka, Marnus Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Ruben Schoeman, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter Jansen, Dylan Smith.

Replacements: Jan-Henning Campher, Sti Sithole, Frans van Wyk, Roelof Smit, Cyle Brink, Morne van der Berg, Manuel Rass, Tyrone Green, Jo-Hanko de Villiers, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Jan-Louis la Grange, Wandisile Simelane.

Emirates Lions XV (to face Vodacom Blue Bulls XV on Friday): Muzi Manyike, Jan-Louis la Grange, Wandisile Simelane, James Mollentze, Stean Pienaar, Shaun Reynolds, Dillon Smit, Diaan Schoonees, Jo-Hanko de Villiers, MJ Pelser, Wilhelm van der Sluys (captain), Darrien Landsberg, Carlu Sadie, Marku Janse van Rensburg, Nathan McBeth.

Replacements: PJ Botha, Leo Kruger, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Adrian Alberts, Travis Gordon, Francke Horn, Tinus Combrinck, Louritz van der Schyff, Prince Nkabinde, Mandisi Mathiyane, Dameon Venter, Boitumelo Tsatsane.