Doubtful starter: Wikus van Heerden

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Lions pick strong line-up

Lions coach John Mitchell has named a a powerful starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby opener against the Cheetahs in Johannesburg.

Hooker Callie Visagie is set to make his Super Rugby debut.

With first-choice number two Bandise Maku out through injury and Martin Bezuidenhout short of game time, Visage was an obvious choice to start.

John Mitchell has kept faith with most of the team that won last year’s Currie Cup.

James Kamana starts on the left wing in place of Michael Killian, who has struggled with a hamstring strain during the pre-season.

Killian has belatedly come onto the bench in place if Lionel Mapoe, who ironically had to withdraw because of a hamstring injury.

Amongst the forwards Cobus Grobbelaar returns to run-on side because of injury to Michael Rhodes. Grobbelaar will be joined in the back row by Derick Minnie and captain Josh Strauss.

Former Springbok Wikus van Heerden is set to start at lock but will first have to undergo a fitness test on a knee injury.

Newcomer Hendrik Roodt is set to replace him if he is not declared fit, and on the bench Jacobie Adriaanse is also under an injury cloud with Springbok CJ can der Linde, who has recently recovered from a groin strain, bracketed to replace him.

A final call on Van Heerden and Adriaanse will be made on Friday.

Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Doppies le Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 James Kamana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Joshua Strauss (c), 7 Derick Minnie, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Wikus van Heerden/ Hendrik Roodt, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Jacobie Adriaanse/ CJ van der Linde, 18 Hendrik Roodt / Stephan Greeff, 19 Warren Whiteley, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 Butch James, 22 Michael Killian.

Date: Saturday, February 25
Venue: Coca-Cola Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Sindile Mayende (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)