Lions make key signings at the Den

CONTRACT UPDATE: The Lions have made some key signings in the past week, as they start building towards the possible return of the game in South Africa.

While official confirmation is still outstanding, @rugby365com has it on good authority that SA teams will return to training later this month and that an eight-team Currie Cup competition is planned to start in late August.

The four Super Rugby franchises - the Lions, Bulls, Sharks and Stormers - will be joined by SA's two Pro14 outfits, the Cheetahs and Southern Kings, as well as the Pumas and Griquas.

Details of the competition will be confirmed once the government gives SA Rugby the go-ahead.

Meanwhile, the Lions have worked hard off the field, making some key signings.

On Tuesday they announced loose forwards Len Massyn and Marnus Schoeman had both signed one-year extensions of their contracts at Ellis Park.

"I am excited for another year ahead with the Lions family and pursuing my God-given passion," Massyn said.

Schoeman echoed similar sentiments.

"I am blessed to continue my journey with the Lions family," he said, adding: "I am looking forward to what the future holds. The best is yet to come."

This follows the weekend announcement that two stalwarts - props Sti Sithole and Jan-Henning Campher - also extended their contracts for another year.

"It's always great when players decided to extend their stay with us and are willing to contribute to the Pride," coach Ivan van Rooyen said.

Late last week the Lions also revealed that 24-year-old Sibahle Ndiphiwe Maxwane, better known as Rabz, has put pen to paper and is joining the Lions.

He started his rugby career at the Bulldogs before moving to Western Province. In 2017 he joined the Bulls and the end of that year moved to Bloemfontein.

The 24-year-old featured in 30-odd games for the Cheetahs and finished the 2018/19 Pro14 season as the competition's top try-scorer with his 14 tries.