Lions to unleash the 'Bone Collector' against Sharks

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have revealed their team to face the Sharks in the opening round of Super Rugby Unlocked in Durban on Friday.

Head coach Ivan van Rooyen has decided to add some muscle to his pack by bringing in  Willem Alberts, who is known as the 'Bone Collector', in the No.4 jersey.

Alberts sat out the SuperFan Saturday clash against the Stormers due to insufficient match fitness.

Meanwhile, newcomers Jaco Visagie, Rabz Maxwane, Burger Odendaal and EW Viljoen will make their first official appearance for the Lions when they run out against the former Super Rugby log-leaders.

Visagie will start in the No.2 jersey with Maxwane on the wing and Odendaal in the midfield. Viljoen has been given the No.15 jersey for the match.

Another newcomer, Wiehahn Herbst, has been included on the bench.

Four members of the starting line-up - Carlu Sadie, Marvin Orie, Vincent Tshituka and Elton Jantjies - were in action in the Springbok Showdown over the weekend in Cape Town

Four more players who were involved in that match - Dylan Smith, Gianni Lombard, Wandisile Simelane and Ruan Dreyer - are on the bench.

Lions: 15 EW Viljoen, 14 Jamba Ulengo, 13 Burger Odendaal, 12 Dan Kriel, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Elton Jantjies (captain), 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Len Massyn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Sti Sithole.

Replacements - from: Jan-Henning Campher, Dylan Smith, Wiehahn Herbst, Wilhelm van der Sluys, MJ Pelser, Hacjivah Dayimani, Morné van den Berg, Gianni Lombard, Wandisile Simelane, Ruan Dreyer.

Date: Friday, October 9

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Referee: AJ Jacobs

Assistant referees: Paul Mente, Archie Sehlako

TMO: Rasta Rasivhenge