The Lions have announced their team to face the Southern Kings in a compulsory friendly in Port Elizabeth Tuesday evening at 18h00.

Whilst the backline has a familiar ring to it, there a couple of surprises in the pack and on the bench.

This is the 2nd last warm-up game the Lions will play prior to the start of Super Rugby 2012, the next being a warm-up against the Cheetahs this weekend.

SUPER RUGBY TEAM LIST

Players: (Please see Notes 1/2/3)

Note (1)           Please indicate Captain with a “(C)” and Vice-Captain with a “(VC)” in front of their name

Note (2)           Please indicate with “(FR)” which players can play in front row.

Note (3)           Should there be doubts about the fitness of a player, the name of his replacement should the player concerned fail the fitness test may be entered in the “Notes” column.

Team Manager’s Signature: Mustapha Boomgaard

Date:   14 FEBRUARY 2012                   Time:  18h00

To be announced publicly via the Media no later than 24 hours prior to kick-off

To be delivered to Match Manager no later than 1 hour prior to kick off

Former Maties Hooker Callie Visagie comes straight in to the front row, where he is partnered by JC Janse van Rensburg and Pat Cilliers.

In the second row Hendrik Roodt and Ruaan Botha both get a start, with Stephan Greef covering the second row and Francois du Toit the hooking berth from the bench.

The run on back line sees the usual suspects from the 2011 Currie Cup, while the bench has Tian Meyer covering number 9, Butch James covering 10 and 12, and Mapoe the back 3.

With van Heerden, vd Merwe, Whitely, Bezuidenhout and Rhodes not included in the 22, we can probably conclude that Mitchell wants to see what his fringe players can do in the heat of battle.

The Kings will want to prove a point against the team many consider the favourites to give way to the Eastern Cape would be Super Rugby franchise, and likewise, the Lions will want to show the boys from the Bay that they are’nt up to Super Rugby speed yet.

A Valentine’s day massacre? Probably not. I expect this somewhat disjointed looking Lions side to battle to gel in the initial stages of the game, and only get going after 30 minutes or so.

Expect a VERY different Lions side for the Super Rugby opener against the Cheetahs in 2 weeks time.