Cape Town - Western Province have included three Stormers players in their squad to face the Golden Lions in a friendly clash on Johannesburg on Friday evening.
According to Die Burger, hooker Scarra Ntubeni, scrumhalf Nic Groom and prop Chris Heiberg have been called up by coach John Dobson to join a WP team consisting mainly of Vodacom Cup players.
It was initially reported that the Lions will face the Stormers but they will now play WP instead. The Lions will use the game as reparation for their promotion-relegation series when they will face the lowest ranked South African side in this year's Super Rugby competition over two legs (July 26 and August 3).
WP included the trio in their squad so they could get some much needed game time. Ntubeni has missed most of the season due to injury, while Groom has fallen out of favour with the Stormers coaches after a string of disappointing performances.
Dobson said they will use the game as preparation for the upcoming Currie Cup.
"It will give a playing chance to players who last played in the Vodacom Cup. It's also a nice opportunity for the three Stormers players to get a game under the belt."
WP, who drew 21-all with SWD in a friendly match in George over the weekend, will name their team later this week.
The clash at Ellis Park kicks off at 19:00 on Friday.
Lions Challenge fixture list for 2013:
January 19: Lions 51-13 Russia
January 23: Lions 33-17 Cheetahs
February 2: Lions 33-38 Bulls
February 9: Lions 41-31 Kings
February 23: Namibia v Lions - Cancelled
March 16: Lions 56-24 Mont de Marsan
April 13: US Invitational v Lions - Cancelled
April 20: US Invitational v Lions - Cancelled
April 27: Chicago Lions v Lions - Cancelled
May 11: Lions v Agen - Ellis Park - Cancelled
June 1: Lions 74-14 Samoa - Ellis Park
June 14: Lions v Western Province - Ellis Park - 19:00
June 21: Lions v Sharks - Ellis Park - 19:00
July 6: Lions v Blue Bulls - Loftus Versfeld - 16:30
July 13: Lions v Griquas - Ellis Park - 15:00
July 26: Super Rugby promotion/relegation - TBA - 19:10
August 2: Super Rugby promotion/relegation - Ellis Park - 19:10
According to Die Burger, hooker Scarra Ntubeni, scrumhalf Nic Groom and prop Chris Heiberg have been called up by coach John Dobson to join a WP team consisting mainly of Vodacom Cup players.
It was initially reported that the Lions will face the Stormers but they will now play WP instead. The Lions will use the game as reparation for their promotion-relegation series when they will face the lowest ranked South African side in this year's Super Rugby competition over two legs (July 26 and August 3).
WP included the trio in their squad so they could get some much needed game time. Ntubeni has missed most of the season due to injury, while Groom has fallen out of favour with the Stormers coaches after a string of disappointing performances.
Dobson said they will use the game as preparation for the upcoming Currie Cup.
"It will give a playing chance to players who last played in the Vodacom Cup. It's also a nice opportunity for the three Stormers players to get a game under the belt."
WP, who drew 21-all with SWD in a friendly match in George over the weekend, will name their team later this week.
The clash at Ellis Park kicks off at 19:00 on Friday.
Lions Challenge fixture list for 2013:
January 19: Lions 51-13 Russia
January 23: Lions 33-17 Cheetahs
February 2: Lions 33-38 Bulls
February 9: Lions 41-31 Kings
February 23: Namibia v Lions - Cancelled
March 16: Lions 56-24 Mont de Marsan
April 13: US Invitational v Lions - Cancelled
April 20: US Invitational v Lions - Cancelled
April 27: Chicago Lions v Lions - Cancelled
May 11: Lions v Agen - Ellis Park - Cancelled
June 1: Lions 74-14 Samoa - Ellis Park
June 14: Lions v Western Province - Ellis Park - 19:00
June 21: Lions v Sharks - Ellis Park - 19:00
July 6: Lions v Blue Bulls - Loftus Versfeld - 16:30
July 13: Lions v Griquas - Ellis Park - 15:00
July 26: Super Rugby promotion/relegation - TBA - 19:10
August 2: Super Rugby promotion/relegation - Ellis Park - 19:10