February 23 - Golden Lions coach Timmy Goodwin has selected a team filled with players who have Super 14 experience for their first Vodacom Cup outing of the season against the Leopards at Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday at 3pm.

Former Springbok prop Lawrence Sephaka is on the bench as is Alwyn Hollenbach of last year’s Currie Cup side.A solid front row of Swart, Van Dyk and Muller; Nico Luus an Wouter Moore as locks; and a loose trio of Justin

Wheeler at No 8 with Jonathan Mokuena in a positional swop at No 7 and Johan van Deventer as No 6, are a pack as good as they come in this competition.

Kruger and Jonck as halfbacks, Jannie Boshoff and Justin St Jerry at centre, Delport and Mentz on the wing and Shandre Frolick at fullback show the high hopes for a successful season are not inflated. The bench further shows the Lions depth this year.

The match kicks-off at 3pm and gates will be open from 1pm. Tickets cost just R20 and scholars are free of charge. Tickets are available on Saturday from the Van Beek Street Ticket Office on the B Field at Johannesburg Stadium. Safe and secure parking is available inside the stadium for no cost.

The team is: Shandre Frolick, Marius Delport, Jannie Boshoff, Justin St Jerry, Henno Mentz, Herkie Kruger (capt.), Chris Jonck, Justin Wheeler, Jonathan Mokuena, Johan van Deventer, Nico Luus, Wouter Moore, Gert Muller, Hans van Dyk, Wayne Swart. Replacements: Derek Harwood, Lawrence Sephaka, David Bullbring, Jaco Kriel, Alex Kock, Ruan Boshoff, Alwyn Hollenbach.