29/01/2008 14:49

Johannesburg - The Lions will play their first warm-up match against the Bulls on Thursday when what will be mainly the second-stringers of the two Super 14 franchises meet at Wits University.

For Lions coach Eugene Eloff the aim is discipline and clinical execution.

"Winning, in fact even the score, won't be important. That goes for Saturday's match in Windhoek as well," Eloff said, referring to the clash between the two franchises' top selections on Saturday.

"I have a good idea what the various combinations should be, and I'm therefore more interested in how the players execute what they have been practicing up to now.

"I want them to keep to our structures, and in fact, be as clinical as can be. If they're successful at that, the two matches will have achieved the goal of warm-up fixtures."

Eloff also emphasised the two matches still grant fringe players the opportunity to impress and be included in the final Super 14 squad, which he says will be announced towards the middle of next week.

The Lions to play the Bulls 'B' team on Thursday sees former Leopards and SA Under-21 lock Gerhard Mostert back in action after an injury kept him on the sidelines for almost the whole of 2007.

The side shows a number of newcomers to the Lions. Jaco van Schalkwyk, 28, is not only the oldest member of the Lions training squad, but also the most experienced player to be included in this B-side which will be captained by Wilhelm Koch. Doppies le Grange, Gavin Williamson, Roland Bernard and Alten Hulme are all on the bench.

The side to travel to Windhoek will be announced on Thursday.

In order to also provide players of the other unions that are part of the Lions franchise the opportunity to try and stake a belated claim, the Leopards and the Pumas will play in the curtain-raiser at Wits (kick-off 16:00).

The Lions 'B' team to play the Bulls 'B' side at Wits (kick-off 18:00) on Thursday:

Earl Rose, Wigan Puikeur, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Thabang Molefe, Heini Gordon, Michael Killian, Chris Jonkck, RW Kember, Wilhelm Koch (captain), Kaunda Ntunia, Gerhard Mostert, Cobus Grobler, Gert Muller, JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: Gert-Andries van der Merwe, Gavin Williamson, Alten Hulme, Charl du Plessis, Theo van Wyk, Roland Bernard, Doppies la Grange.