The nippy halfback was officially unveiled as a Lions player on Thursday, although he has been at the union for quite some time.

Nohamba will play off the bench and he will serve as cover for the captain, André Warner.

Lions coach Mziwakhe Nkosi told OFM Sport that there is a lot of excitement about the arrival of Nohamba.

“There has justifiably been quite a bit of excitement in Sanele leaving Durban and coming to Joburg.

“I must say I've had the privilege of working with him since he was 16, so I know him very well. He is an exciting talent and he is as good a nine as the country can put out.

“The onus is probably on us to extract his full potential and make sure that he plays to what everyone believes he can play, and probably reach the heights, if not higher heights.”

Friday night’s game between the Lions and Stormers at Ellis Park kicks off at 19:00.

Lions - 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Manuel Rass, 11 Stean Pienaar, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 André Warner (captain), 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Emmanuel Tshituka, 6 Sibusiso Sangweni, 5 Cal Smid, 4 Lunga Ncube, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 JP Smith.

Replacements - 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Heiko Pohlmann, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Junior White, 20 Lindo Ncusane, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Luke Rossouw, 23 Ilunga Mukendi.

Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Duncan Saal, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Jeandre Rudolph, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekeke, 4 Aidon Davis, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Cameron Dawson.

Replacements - 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Marne Coetzee, 19 Ockie Barnard, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Siya Masuku, 23 Robert Ebersohn.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport