The new intake of Lions Under 19’s for the 2018 season was put through a Lions Rugby Company orientation process at Emirates Airline Park over a three day period.
They were welcomed by Altmann Allers and Rudolf Straeuli, Chairman and CEO of the Lions Rugby Company (Pty) Ltd respectively and introduced to the Under 19 team management for 2018 as well as former Lions player Julian Redelinghuys. Julian will be in charge of Player Relations and the Xerox Lions Learning HUB.
The HUB is a long-term development programme for players contracted to the Lions Rugby Company. The HUB programme supports both the current performance demands and their future personal and professional goals, by providing players with essential skills needed to forge a career beyond the game.
The 2018 intake include nine SA Schools players and a host of talented youngsters from mostly Gauteng based schools.
Jonathan Viljoen, Brendon Buitendag, Michael Goodal, Keagan Glade, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Travis Gordon, JW Meades, Ruben Kotze, Christopher Havenga, Hendrik Smit, Eddie Ludick, Kennedy Mpeku, Dameon Venter, Yanga Hlalu, Wesley Thompson, Ulrich Maritz, Ewan Visser, Tinus Combrinck, Gerrit Visser, Prince Nkabinde, Nkosikhona Masuku, Cal Smid, Njabulo Mjara, Hlumelo Ndudula, Cristen (Kwagga) van Niekerk, Jeremy Randall, Mark Snyman, Giovan Snyman, Tiaan Drotskie, Janco van Heyningen, David Cary.