The Lions team that faces the Stormers tonight at Newlands is a very different to team to what we saw last time the Lions ran out. All the new signings as well as the returning Lions players will be getting some game time tonight.
Starting from the front, we have ex-Bulls Bandise Maku slotting straight into the front row with what looks to be a settled scrum unit from the Lions.
Most of the changes come in the backline where the Sharks halfbacks Rory Kockott and Andre Pretorius, who are both previous Lions, form a formidable pairing, with the experienced Pretorius facing a very young van Aswegen.
We will finally see Lionel Mapoe in action after a year in the courts, he will slot in on the wing with Deon van Rensburg, with regular winger Michael Killian moving to fullback. Exciting Jaco Taute has been moved to the inside centre jersey which should make for some exciting play with Waylon Murray. They will face up to the Springbok pairing of Jean de Villiers and Juan de Jongh.
The extended bench is expected to be fully utilised in what is nothing more than a warm up match. The most notable player not in the match 28 is Elton Jantjies, who is reported to be too unfit to play Super Rugby.
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The team is:
Michael Killian, Deon van Rensburg, Waylon Murray, Jaco Taute, Lionel Mapoe, Andre Pretorius, Rory Kockott, Warren Whiteley, Joshua Strauss, Derick Minnie, George Earle, Franco van der Merwe (capt.), Kevin Buys, Bandise Maku, JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements:
16-22: Martin Bezuidenhout, Jacobie Adriaanse, Wikus van Heerden, Cobus Grobbelaar, Jano Vermaak, Jannie Boshoff, Burton Francis.
23-28: Edgar Maruthlulle, Ross Geldenhuys, David Bulbring, Dries van Schalkwyk, Joubert Engelbrecht, Tonderai Chavhanga
Why is Maku slurring?
@McLovin (Comment 1) :
Sorry.. rush job..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 2) : No worries. Couldn’t resist. Made me smile.
@McLovin (Comment 3) :
Its a new Lions training experiment..
Drinking before the game and seeing how that goes.. maybe they can win a game like that..
Looks like a good team on paper – the Sharks B team almost! Sad that Elton Janjties was declared too unfit for super Rugby – hope its not a discipline issue.
REALLY strange seeing Rory’s name on that team sheet..:(
@Just a Fan (Comment 6) : as far as i know, rory and Jano not the best of friends… could be an interesting tussle this year, but have to agree, it just not seem right.
@Caratacus (Comment 5) :
I believe it was a discipline problem – couldn’t keep away from the cookie jar over the Christmas break.
Hope Andre Pretorius doesn`t get injured!
@Original Champion (Comment 9) :Ah, cmon let’s give Andre a break…..
oxymoron 
@VanWilder (Comment 7) : While he’s trying to overtake Vermaak, Kockott also has to look in his rearview mirror. Michael Bondesio proved to all last year that he’s quite a good player.
@Just a Fan (Comment 6) :
Remember Rory joined us from the Lions in the first place!!
Stormers to take this one with relative ease!!
@wpw (Comment 13) :
Stormers can only take ONE thing
@wpw (Comment 13) : I think so too
@Caratacus (Comment 5) : @Salmonoid (Comment 8) :
nooo its because he spent time with the boks and not training with the lions .. apparently the bok training is not as intense
any one knows if the game will at least be on the radio ?
@juba_fan (Comment 17) : you can follow live updates on twitter and here
thanx rob
@juba_fan (Comment 19) : thank Claytie
@Zibbie (Comment 16) :
I know what you mean, look what they did to Jon Smit.
@Salmonoid (Comment 21) : I can’t believe how much better he’s looking now. 5 years younger, for starters.
@robdylan (Comment 22) :
Yep, much to Grant10′s dismay (I think).
I hope to see Smitty in the flesh next week.
This squad don’t look too bad. May be a lot better come May/June. Can realistically only hope to finish above Cheetahs this campaigne. They are on the up though.
@Salmonoid (Comment 23) : I’ve bought into the hype… I reckon he’s going to be huge this year
@Salmonoid (Comment 21) : did he go on darren’s diet
@Zibbie (Comment 16) : i think same thing happened to Ricky
when does the game start?
Does this mean Elton Johntjies wont play Super Rugby at all or will he join up later?
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 29) : He is only undergoing a few weeks of conditioning.
@Salmonoid (Comment 21) :
haha good point
@rekinek (Comment 27) :
oh please no . lol