The Lions will play a pre-season match against a SupaBarbarians invitational team at Ellis Park on 4 February.

The SupaBarbarians are an extension of the SupaRugby XV team that competes in the annual Raikes Memorial against Wits.

Eight Leopards, two Griffons and a host of top club players will form part of this invitational side.

The Lions’ other warm-up matches are against the Bulls (Harare, 28 January) and Stormers (Cape Town, 11 February), before starting their Super Rugby campaign against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on 25 February.

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images