Johannesburg – The inclusion of scrumhalf Jano Vermaak who has been linked to the Natal Sharks and Springbok centre acquisition Waylon Murray are the most notable features in the Xerox Lions side to play the Boland Cavaliers in a compulsory friendly in Wellington on Saturday.

In what is otherwise the nucleus of the Lions side that fared so poorly in the Super 14 competition, Jonathan Mokuena comes in at No 8 to form a new loose trio combination with Derick Minnie and Franco van der Merwe. They have been moved to flank from No 8 and lock respectively to take the positions of the two injured veterans, Wikus van Heerden and Cobus Grobbelaar.

Murray recently moved to the Lions after a struggle to get back into the Sharks team after recovering from a long term injury. He will partner former Bulls centre/wing Marius Delport in the Lions midfield.

With former All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer now concentrating on coaching the provincial team, young Jaco Taute has been selected at fullback where Spencer was used in the latter half of the Super 14.

Vermaak has a contract which ties him to the Lions until the end of 2011.

There is however a clause that gives him the option to move should he prefer, but the Lions are presently negotiating with Vermaak after an offer from the Sharks who are seeking to improve the depth of their squad.

His selection for Saturday’s team is an indication that Vermaak is likely to remain with the province where he made his name.

Lions team: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Marius Delport, 12 Waylon Murray, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Jonathan Mokuena, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Derek Minnie, 5 David Bulbring, 4 George Earle, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hans van Dyk, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Substitute’s: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Wayne Swart, 18 Warren Whiteley, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Elton Jantjies, 22 Deon Van Rensburg, 23 Alwyn Hollenbach.

A Supersport article on News24