Lions opt for experience

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lions coach Swys de Bruin has opted for experience for his team's second Super Rugby pre-season outing.

Springbok Warren Whiteley will lead the team when they take on the Sharks in a #SuperSunday clash at the Cape Town stadium.

Lock Ruan Vermaak is the only player that retained his place from the side that lost 17-21 to the Bulls in Pretoria last week.

The revamped starting XV includes nine Springboks.

Apart from Whiteley, there are Malcolm Marx, Marvin Orie, Albertus Smith, Elton Jantjies, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Lionel Mapoe, Courtnall Skosan and Andries Coetzee.

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Hacjivah Dayimani, 6 Albertus Smith, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith.

Replacements - from: Pieter Jansen, Danie Minnie, Frans Van Wyk, Jacobie Adriaanse, Marnus Schoeman, Dillon Smith, Shaun Reynolds, Sylvian Mahuza, Ruan Combrinck, Vincent Tshituka, Rhyno Herbst.

Date: Sunday, February 3

Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town

Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)

Referee: Jaco Peyper

Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Divan Uys

TMO: Christie du Preez