Former Springbok lock Johan Ackermann will assist with the preparation of the Lions Super 14 squad while Director of Rugby Dick Muir is away with the Springbok side.
The Lions' 2009 Currie Cup coach Hans Coetzee, Ackermann and conditioning coach Dr Gerhard Jordaan will take care of the team in Bok back-line coach Muir's absence.
The Lions squad of 56 players was announced on Tuesday as they started their training for the coming season with a gym session.
Notable inclusions in the squad are those of number eight Willem Alberts and full-back Louis Ludik who have been tied to a move to the Sharks.
A number of the Lions players are still injured and will be sidelined for some time. They are Louis Ludik (3 months), Jano Vermaak (2-3 months) and Johan Snyman (3-4 months).
Undergoing rehabilitation are Earl Lewis (2-3 weeks), Gert Muller (6-8 weeks), and the new signing from Western Province, Springbok Tonderai Chavanga (3-4 weeks).
The squad selected for the 2010 Super 14 includes five Springboks in Heinke van der Merwe, Jannes Labuschagne, Lawrence Sephaka, Earl Rose and Henno Mentz. The two Lions Springboks who are touring with the Boks, Earl Rose and Heinke van der Merwe, will join the squad in December.
The most notable new signings are Chavanga from the WP, Blue Bulls Burton Francis and Marius Delport, Emerging Springbok centre Deon van Rensburg (Leopards) and Griquas captain Jonathan Mokuena.
Three players from the Leopards, locks Draad Linde and Ryno Landman as well as flank Thabo Mamojela have also been called up and will join the squad on November 16 after a two-week break following their promotion/relegation match, as will Pumas captain and hooker Hannes Franklin and lock Marius Coetzer.
Lions squad:
Forwards: JC Janse van Rensburg, Kevin Buys, Wayne Swart, Lawrence Sephaka, Heinke van der Merwe, Ross Geldenhuys, Charl du Plessis, Hans van Dyk, Derek Harwood, Nico Luus, Wouter Moore, Franco van der Merwe, Jannes Labuschagne, Jacques Lombaard, Jeffrey Taljaard, Willem Alberts, Cobus Grobbelaar, Jonathan Mokuena, Derick Minnie, Johan van Deventer, Robert Kruger, Danie Crous, Thuliphatu Marole, Warren Whiteley, Justin Wheeler, Stephan Kruger, Mina Nassif.
Backs: Alex Kock, Chris Jonck, Herkie Kruger, Ruan Boshoff, Divan Kotze, Jody Rose, Allistair Siegelaar, Dusty Noble, Michael Killian, Henno Mentz, Johan Jackson, Wigan Pekeur, Jannie Boshoff, Justin St Jerry, Pieter Engelbrecht, Alwyn Hollenbach, Doppies la Grange, Rouan Cloete, Shandre Frolick, Warren van Rooyen, Walter Venter, Marius Delport, Deon van Rensburg, Burton Francis.
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