Lions name squad for Australasia trip
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Lions have named their 26-man squad for their four-week Australiasia tour.
The squad contains 15 forwards and 11 backline players.
The Emirates Lions touring squad to Australasia.#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/W097rU0Pe3
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) February 20, 2020
The notable exclusion from the squad is Ross Cronje, despite earlier Lions’ reports stating that he – along with Willem Alberts (biceps), Jamba Ulengo (calf) and Tiaan Swanepoel (hamstring) – ‘all came through the weekend without an issue.’
Thus far, Cronje has captained the Lions XV side.
Meanwhile, Duncan Matthews was also left out of the touring squad.
Ivan van Rooyen’s men will face Australian franchises Waratahs and Rebels following fixtures against New Zealand sides the Blues and the Highlanders.
It is certainly a tough assignment for the Johannesburg franchise, who are currently fourth in the South African conference.
Lions:
Forwards:
Willem Alberts, Jan-Henning Campher, Hacjivah Dayimani, Jannie Du Plessis, Pieter Jansen, Len Massyn, Marvin Orie, Carlu Sadie, Marnus Schoeman, Ruben Schoeman, Sti Sithole, Dylan Smith, Vincent Tshituka, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Frans van Wyk.
Backs:
Andries Coetzee, Tyrone Green, Elton Jantjies, Dan Kriel, Manual Rass, Shaun Reynolds, Wandisile Simelane, Courtnell Skosan, Jamba Ulengo, Morne van den Berg, Andre Warner
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