Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Springbok and Lions centre Lionel Mapoe is ready for Super Rugby action after returning home from his club duties in Japan.
The 28-year-old, who plays for Japanese club Kubota Spears in the South African-off-season, announced on his official Twitter account on Friday that he was raring to go ahead of the new season.
Almost time to put my boots on again #poweredbyEVOPUMA Kubota it's been good. Now the LION returns to its jungle!!! pic.twitter.com/agGzNfiUIu
— Lionel Mapoe (@13LionelMapoe14) January 27, 2017
The 11-Test capped midfielder is one of a number of Lions players returning from Japan for Super Rugby.
Others include skipper Warren Whiteley, lock Franco Mostert, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and flank Jaco Kriel.
The Lions, meanwhile, are playing the Bulls in a pre-season match in Harare on Saturday and have sent a young squad to Zimbabwe.
Lions squad for Zimbabwe trip:
Le Roux Baard
Ruan Brits
Jean-Luc Cilliers
Ashlon Davids
Bobby De Wee
Hacjivah Dyamani
JP Du Preez
Dean Gordon
Wiehan Jacobs
Marco Janse van Vuren
Pieter Jansen
Kyle Kruger
Gerrie Labuschagne
Jan-Louis Le Grange
Koch Marx
Siya Masuku
Stean Pienaar
Jarryd Sage
Pieter Scholtz
Victor Sekekete
Bheki Shongwe
Sthi Sithole
Adré Smit
Wayne Van der Bank
Morne Van den Berg
Gerdus Van der Walt
Jano Venter
Jaco Willemse
