Mnisi to lead Lions against the Bulls
Mnisi, who missed the 2017 Super Rugby season due to an injury, has been named as the inside-centre in a very youthful 25-man squad.
The 28-year-old on the sidelines for nine months after he sustained multiple ligament tears in the Round one in a 28-25 victory over the Cheetahs in February 2017.
However, it seems that Mnisi has fully recovered and will captain the side against the Bulls.
Lions: 15 Giani Lombard, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Howard Mnisi (captain), 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Marco Janse van Vuren, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Hacjiva Dayimani, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 PJ Steenkamp, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: Pieter Jansen, Cohen Kiewiet, Jaco Willemse, Jo-Hanko de Villiers, James Venter, Len Massyn, Christiaan Meyer, Shaun Reynolds, Louritz van der Schyff, Wandisile Simelane.
Date: Saturday, January 27
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen