Lions stock up on Junior Boks

The Baby Boks who have signed with the Johannesburg-based francgise are Wandisile Simelane, Jean-Luc Cilliers, Reinhardt Nothnagel and Len Massyn.

"We aim to develop players and keep key junior players in the system," Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli said.

"That is vital to our succession plan."

A number of key players from the Lions' victorious age-group teams in 2016 have also renewed their contracts, ensuring sustainability throughout the junior and senior procurement.

These include Bradley Thain, Eddie  Fouché, HP van Schoor, Jan-Louis la Grange, Len Massyn, Leo Kruger, Reinhard Nothnagel, Siya Masuku and Tyreeq February.

And the Lions have also secured top Under-19 players for.

"Ensuring the signing of top players from our local schools have been the main aim this year," Bart Schoeman, Manager of the High Performance, said.

"Only after signing 'home-grown' players in key positions did we go out to fill the gaps with the next best.

"We have a few negotiations still outstanding but are proud to welcome the following players to the Lions Rugby family," he added.

Those include Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cristen van Niekerk, Dameon Venter, David Cary, Ewan Visser, Gerrit Visser, Giovanne Snyman, Jonathan Viljoen, JW Meades, Keagon Glade, Kennedy Mpeku, Mark Snyman, Michael Goodal, Nkosikhona Masuku, Ruben Kotze, Tinus Combrinck, Travis Gordon, Ulrich Maritz, Wihan de Beer and Yanga Hlalu.