Lions head coach Mziwakhe Nkosi is eager to give the next generation of Lions stars the opportunity to announce themselves on the big stage. After finishing runners-up in each of the past two Currie Cup seasons, the Johannesburg outfit will once again be determined to go one step further and lift South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious domestic rugby trophy. 

Nkosi has named a 23-man squad that blends experienced campaigners with an exciting crop of youngsters, underlining the franchise’s commitment to developing future stars while remaining firmly focused on a title challenge.

The former Shimla, Dylan Sjöblom. Photo: Morgan Piek

Veteran campaigners Jarod Cairns, Rabz Maxwane and Morgan Naude are expected to provide valuable leadership throughout the campaign, guiding a talented group of emerging players eager to make their mark in the famous red and white jersey.

Nkosi believes Sunday’s encounter will be a bruising contest where discipline, accuracy and composure will ultimately separate the two sides. He also insists the Cheetahs’ disappointing SA Cup campaign should not fool anyone.

The Bloemfontein outfit endured a frustrating SA Cup season, but under new head coach Frans Steyn, they rotated combinations regularly while building squad depth, making them a difficult side to analyse ahead of the Currie Cup.

Nkosi warned that the Cheetahs are a far more dangerous team than their performance in the recent SA Cup suggests.

“Those results and that qualification must be taken into context; we followed them closely,” Nkosi said.

“I know Frans has mixed and matched as he’s tried to build his own depth by giving a whole lot of guys opportunities and using a variety of combinations.

Clayton Blommetjies and Jarod Cairns. Photo: Morgan Piek

“I think that contributed to their form in the SA Cup, but it’s a hell of a start and a hell of a challenge for us. We went there last year and came up short after a really good second half because we let ourselves down in the first half.

“Having said that, it’s going to be a tough start against guys we know well, including former Lions players and even members of their management.

“We’ll know each other really well, so hopefully we can start with a good five points. This game is the first domino, so to speak, to fall for the new season.”

Nkosi is equally excited to see how his young halfbacks measure themselves against one of South Africa’s most decorated scrumhalves, Faf de Klerk, who will make his Cheetahs debut against his former team.

“Funny enough, I know Faf from his time here as a junior before he left the first time,” Nkosi added. “He was here as a flyhalf before things worked out for him to go to the Pumas, and eventually he came back.

“It’s exciting for guys like Layton Horn and Zian Cilliers to go up against someone with, I think, 60 or 70 Springbok caps.

Faf de Klerk. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Having said that, he’s also getting on in the years, so hopefully the exuberance of youth gets one over him.”

Sunday’s battle of the big cats at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 13:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Michael Annies, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk (captain), 7 Juan Venter, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt

Replacements - 16 Juan Smal, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Simon Miller, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ethan Wentzel, 23 Prince Nkabinde

Lions - 15 Latica Nela, 14 Keagan Smith, 13 Likhona Finca, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Sam Francis, 9 Zian Cilliers, 8 Morné Venter, 7 Jarod Cairns, 6 Renzo du Plessis, 5 Ruan Delport (captain), 4 Dylan Sjöblom, 3 Beertjie van Vuuren, 2 Armand Combrink, 1 Morgan Naude

Replacements - 16 Mahle Sithole, 17 Cecil Parsons, 18 Ruan Swart, 19 Tiaan Wessels, 20 Thando Biyela, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Matthew Coetzee, 23 Exauce Kevani

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh