Skipper Burger Odendaal is a notable absentee from the Lions’ 28-man squad for their final Vodacom Rugby Championship match against the Dragons on Saturday.

Odendaal, who featured in a moment to forget in Saturday’s Currie Cup defeat by the Vodacom Bulls, will be moving to English side Wasps at the end of the season. It is unclear whether Odendaal has been granted an early release.

Carlu Sadie and Wandisile Simelane, who are poised for moves to the Sharks and Vodacom Bulls respectively, have been ruled out due to illness.

Lock Reinhard Nothnagel will lead the Joburgers as exciting centre Henco van Wyk embarks on his debut tour in the URC. Former Pumas midfielder and Munster academy graduate Matt More will also travel to Wales.

The Lions, in 11th place in the standings and out of the playoffs race, beat Benetton 37-29 in their last home match of the 2022 campaign.

Watch: Burger’s bizarre gift to Bulls

“We’re quite pleased with the squad we’ve selected ahead of our final URC match in Newport against the Dragons,” coach Ivan van Rooyen said.

“As mentioned last week, it gives us an opportunity as a franchise to cast our eye towards the future, and we believe that the bulk of this group will form part of that core.

“Once again, this approach is in line with our strategy of developing within our structures and some of these names are proof of that. 

“In saying that, Dragons will be a tough outfit to play in their own backyard. However, it offers a few of our players an opportunity to impress.”

Full Lions squad
Forwards: Sti Sithole, JP Smith, Jannie du Plessis, Jaco Visagie, PJ Botha, Ruan Dreyer, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Reinhard Nothnagel (c), Ruan Venter, Ruben Schoeman, Sibusiso Sangweni, Vincent Tshituka, Francke Horn, Jarod Cairns, Morne Brandon, PJ Steenkamp.

Backs: Morne van den Berg, Andre Warner, Jordan Hendrikse, Tiaan Swanepoel, Matt More, Manuel Rass, Henco van Wyk, Edwill van der Merwe, Stean Pienaar, Quan Horn, Sanele Nohamba, Rabz Maxwane.