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Wikus van Heerden is nursing a knee injury.

Lions coach John Mitchell was still sweating on the availability of lock Wikus van Heerden, who was nursing a knee injury, when he named his team for their first match of the Super Rugby season on Wednesday.

Hendrik Roodt was pencilled in among the starting XV, and if Van Heerden failed to recover in time, Plumtree said he would make his debut for the Lions in their clash with the Cheetahs at Ellis Park on Saturday.

It was also unclear whether Jacobie Adriaanse or CJ van der Linde would play from the bench.

Hooker Callie Visagie and Tian Meyer were set to make their debuts for the Johannesburg-based franchise.

Stephan Greeff was also named in the match 22, playing his first game for the Lions off the bench.

Lions team: Jaco Taute, Deon van Rensburg, Doppies le Grange, Alwyn Hollenbach, James Kamana, Elton Jantjies, Michael Bondesio, Joshua Strauss (captain), Derick Minnie, Cobus Grobbelaar, Franco van der Merwe, Wikus van Heerden/ Hendrik Roodt, Patric Cilliers, Callie Visagie, JC Janse van Rensburg. Replacements: Martin Bezuidenhout, Jacobie Adriaanse/ CJ van der Linde, Hendrik Roodt / Stephan Greeff, Warren Whiteley, Tian Meyer, Butch James, Lionel Mapoe. – Sapa

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