While the Lions are probably the franchise in South African rugby that the least is expected of during the upcoming season, they hope to spring a few surprises with a no-name brand of talent that, when gelling, can pack a punch and beat some of the more fancied teams.

While the jury is still out on coach Ivan van Rooyen, the good second half of the season the team experienced, especially at home, was something they took a lot of pride out of, and while they may have lost some stars throughout, their replacements smack of up-and-coming talent that, if used correctly, can propel them upward.

To be honest, they still lack the star power of even some of their South African compatriots, but there is definitely a lot of good, young talent that will be on display that has little fear and will be looking to prove a point.

Van Rooyen told supersport.com that the fear factor is gone within the team and they know what they are dealing with, something that will help them throughout the season.

“The unknown is not unknown anymore, it is season two - so factors like travel, accommodation and all of that. That point of difference is gone. It is nice to know where we are going and what to expect,” Van Rooyen said.

“The second season the teams you played at home, you have to play them away, so it is something new. From my side we are excited to keep on building, keep on moving forward.

“We were barely settled before the first campaign, we had two or four sessions depending on what coach you refer to before game one in Italy. We had a pre-season to settle as a squad and team and from game one now we will have fans at our games, which only happened in the middle of the season previously.

“We are really looking at connecting as a team and connecting to fans.”

Certainly some more fans in the stadium would be a welcome relief for the Lions, who play in a colossus of a stadium, but the momentum team they are, they will need to create this hype themselves.

Having lost the likes of prop Carlu Sadie, flanker Vincent Tshituka (both to the Sharks), captain Burger Odendaal to Wasps, midfielder Wandisile Simelane to the Bulls, Christopher Hollis to the Stormers and MJ Pelser to Zebre, the team have relied on signing some up and coming talent instead.

Waratah Ruan Smith joins his brother JP in the front row, Andries Coetzee is back from Zebre and the trio of signings from the Sharks - scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba and midfielders Rynhard Jonker and Marius Louw are good boosters in depth in the positions. Add to that Griquas duo of Sango Xamlashe and Zander du Plessis and there is a lot of good young talent about.

How the Lions use them will be key.

“I actually feel we are better off than last season. We have some specific signings in specific positions. The losses we felt where we were quite short through the bank we are probably better this season,” Van Rooyen told supersport.com

“We are probably a bit younger than we were last year, but that adds to the excitement. There is a real vibe and energy in the team to put out something special this year. The tight five is a bit older and that is good for us. We have some really exciting young backs - a guy like Marius (Louw) is a senior and he is only 26 years old. We are in a good place in terms of squad depth and squad vibe. We are ready to go.”

Only time will tell if they can run with the big dogs in the competition.

Key Player: Jordan Hendrikse

The young flyhalf has been tipped as a future Bok and when fit and in form is a key driver for the Lions. His fitness and continued development will be key to the Lions' fortunes this season.

Rising star: Emmanuel Tshituka

While more has been seen of his brother Vincent, Emmanuel is a beast of a player who has already made an impression in the Lions' ranks. If he gets the chance to star and stays injury free, he could be their next star.

Key signing: Marius Louw

Louw left the Durban franchise because of a lack of consistent game time and with Burger Odendaal gone he is set to fulfill that role in the midfield as they playmaker for the side. He has already formed a good partnership with SA under-20 star Henco van Wyk and with confidence and momentum may be the key signing for them this season.