Joburg mayor sends message of support to Lions

Cape Town - Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has sent a heartfelt message of support to the Lions ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby final.

Mashaba, clad in a Lions jersey, posted a video to his Twitter page on Thursday in which he urged Johannesburg residents to get behind their team. 

It will be third time in as many years that the Lions contest the Super Rugby final, but they are massive underdogs against the Crusaders in Christchurch. 

"Our Lions have played with pride, skill and heart all season," Mashaba said.

"I call upon the residents of our city to get behind them. All the way from New Zealand, they must feel our support."

The match kicks off at 09:35 (SA time). 

Teams:

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody

Substitutes: 16 Sam Anderson-Heather, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrink, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen

Substitutes: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 23 Howard Mnisi

As residents of Johannesburg, we must celebrate excellence within our City and rally behind those that carry the image of Johannesburg to greater heights.

I wish our team all the best ahead of the final this weekend, knowing they will do us proud. @LionsRugbyCo pic.twitter.com/YqS5ODY9uI

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) August 2, 2018