JC is the new Lion King

Seasoned prop JC Janse van Rensburg will lead the Lions during the defence of their Currie Cup title this year.

Stand-in Lions coach Johan Ackermann on Tuesday confirmed that Van Rensburg, who has been capped almost a 100 times at Super Rugby and Currie Cup level, will lead the charge.

The squad is without its two Springboks - prop Patric Cilliers and flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

However, other veterans like Cobus Grobbelaar, Derick Minnie, Joshua Strauss, CJ van der Linde (who might get a Springbok recall soon), Franco van der Merwe, Alwyn Hollenbach, Butch James, Lionel Mapoe, Waylon Murray, Jaco Taute and Deon van Rensburg will provide the calming influence.

"The squad includes some of our injured players, who will return during the campaign," Ackermann said.

"There are also some players coming back into training who can work themselves back into the squad.

"We look forward to the season and trust that we will play a good brand of rugby that will make our supporters proud."

Lions squad:

Forwards: Jacobie Adriaanse, Ruan Botha, Willie Britz, Ruan Dreyer, Francois du Toit, Cobus Grobbelaar, JC Janse van Rensburg (captain), Jaco Kriel, Derick Minnie, Caylib Oosthuizen, Hendrik Roodt, Joshua Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Franco van der Merwe, Callie Visagie, Warren Whiteley,

Backs: Michael Bondesio, Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Guy Cronje, Ross Cronje, JR Esterhuizen, Deon Helberg, Alwyn Hollenbach, Butch James, James Kamana, Lionel Mapoe, Waylon Murray, Jaco Taute, Deon van Rensburg, Anthony Volmink.