Three matches and fit players before start of MTN Lions' new season |
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November 25 – The MTN Golden Lions will play their two matches in the Neo Africa Tri-series in Cape Town consecutively in January and will play a third pre-season match in preparation for the Super Rugby competition which starts in February.
The inaugural pre-season New Africa series took place in 2010. Last year the Lions and the Sharks joined home franchise Stormers in the competition which gives spectators a first taste of rugby in the new season and also provides the coaches with the opportunity to give all their players a good run and test new combinations.
The Lions play South Africa’s leading Super Rugby team of 2011, the Stormers, on January 27 and then run out against the Sharks on January 31. A third warm-up match against the Kings in George has also been arranged for February 15.
The Lions started their training for the new season on Thursday and had the good news that all their players injured in the latter part of the 2011 Currie Cup competition or who underwent surgery in the off-season will be ready for the Super Rugby kick-off.
The Lions’ Springbok prop CJ van der Linde recently underwent a groin operation but will be available for the new season, while Springbok centre Waylon Murray and Sevens Bok and Lions wing Lionel will also be ready for the new season.
The squad will train with fitness and conditioning coach, Wayne Taylor, until December 16 before a break until early in January to prepare for the Super Rugby season that starts with a home match against the Cheetahs on February 25.
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