The Lions announced that six core players have put pen to paper on contract extensions, despite the departure of popular forwards coach Albert van den Berg.
Tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, hooker PJ Botha, lock Reinhardt Nothnagel, No 8 Francke Horn joined veteran front ranker JP Smith and promising outside centre Henco van Wyk in extending their stays in Johannesburg.
Ntlabakanye, Botha, Horn and Nothnagel were core members of the scrum that helped push the Lions to a ninth-place finish in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, as well as a Challenge Cup quarter-final.
Van Wyk is seen as one of the most promising centres in the country and started the season in exceptional form before a meniscus tear in February brought his season to an end.
The announcement of the contract extensions come shortly after it was confirmed that forwards coach Van den Berg has rejected a new contract and will be leaving Ellis Park.
The former Springbok lock was reportedly a very popular member of the Lions coaching staff, but has opted to further his coaching career elsewhere, with an offer from Europe reported to be on the table for him.
View this post on Instagram
Photo: Steve Haag/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix