Lions give youngsters a run

While the Bulls are set to name their strongest side for the main game, the Lions have decided rather to give a number of young players a chance to impress the coaching staff against their more illustrious counterparts.

In both sides there are established stars mixed with young players,but the Red side look a bit more established among the forwards, and will be captained by Cobus Grobbelaar. The Black team will be led by Jannes Labuschagne.

New recruit Carlos Spencer isn't in either team as Muir has given him the week off, but both Burton Francis and Herkie Kruger will vie for the flyhalf back-up spot.

The loose trio of Todd Clever, Derrick Minnie and Grobbelaar look set to start against the Stormers on February 13 if they come through the Polokwane test unscathed.

Players not considered for the game because of injury include winger Tonderai Chavhanga, prop Gert Muller, lock Wouter Moore, scrumhalves Jano Vermaak and JP Joubert, lock Jacques Lombaard and hooker Hanyani Shimange.

Lions squads:

Black team:
15 Earl Rose, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Rouan Cloete, 12 Justin St Jerry, 11 Shandre Frolick, 10 Burton Francis, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Jonathan Mokuena, 7 Thabo Mamojele, 6 Danie Crous, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Jannes Labuschagne (c), 3 JC Janse van Rensburg, 2 Derek Harwood, 1 Lawrence Sephaka. Subs: 16 Hans Van Dyk, 17 TBC, 18 Nico Luus, 19 Johan Van Deventer, 20 Doppies la Grange, 21 Jannie Boshoff, 22 Alwyn Hollenbach.

Red team:
15 Michael Killian, 14 Wigan Pekeur, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Alex Koch, 8 Todd Clever, 7 Derrick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (c), 5 Willem Stoltz, 4 George Earl, 3 Kevin Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin, 1 Heinke van der Merwe. Subs: 16 Charles Enslie, 17 TBC, 18 David Bulbring, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Alistair Siegelaar, 21 Trompie Nontshinga/Bernardo Botha, 22 Wandile Mjekevu