The Lions announced a schedule of 16 matches earlier this month for their top players to be able to compete at the highest level this season.

Following their controversial relegation from Super Rugby last year, the Johannesburg-based franchise have organised matches against international teams like Russia and Samoa, a three-week tour of North America, five games against top French opposition, and fixtures against all five South African Super Rugby teams.

They face Russia in the opening game of the series at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Squad: Gavin Annandale, Martin Bezuidenhout, Michael Bondesio, Marnitz Boshoff, JJ Breet, Willie Britz, Andries Coetzee, Robbie Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Guy Cronje, Lionel Cronje, Ross Cronje, Dylan des Fountain, Ruan Dreyer, Swys du Toit, Stokkies Hanekom, Deon Helberg, Alwyn Hollenbach, JC Janse van Rensburg, Hugo Kloppers, Jacques Kotze, Jaco Kriel, Derick Minnie, Franco Mostert, Jacques Nel, Ruhan Nel, Hendrik Roodt, Warwick Tecklenburg, Claude Tshibidi, CJ van der Linde, Deon van Rensburg, Jacques van Rooyen, Anthony Volmink, Harold Vorster, Warren Whiteley.