JOHANNESBURG - Ryan Kankowski will continue to lead the Golden Lions as the team enters a new phase with Swys de Bruin as the new head coach.
De Bruin on Thursday named his first lineup after taking charge of the team following the departure of Johan Ackermann to Gloucester.
With several Super Rugby stars involved with the Springboks and others now playing in Japan, De Bruin named a side featuring just two Springboks to take on the Sharks in a Currie Cup match at Ellis Park on Saturday (kickoff 7.30pm).
Rohan Janse van Rensburg will start at inside centre, while Kankowski will play at No 8. Robbie Coetzee, who missed out on a lot of the Super Rugby action, will start at hooker.
It is still a strong side, with a number of players having gained Super Rugby experience in the last few years, but there is also a nice smattering of youth.
The Lions go into the clash on the back of a defeat by the Blue Bulls and have won just one of three matches so far.
Lions team:
Sylvian Mahuza, Madosh Tambwe, Jacques Nel, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Anthony Volmink, Jaco van der Walt, Dillon Smit, Ryan Kankowski (capt), Fabian Booysen, Cyle Brink, Marvin Orie, Robert Kruger, Johannes Jonker, Robbie Coetzee, Corne Fourie. Replacements: Michael Willemse, Sti Sithole, Bobby de Wee, Hacjivah Dayimani, Marco Janse van Vuuren, Siya Masuku, Aphiwe Dyantyi.