The Lions would be interested in obtaining the services of Springbok captain Chiliboy Ralapelle, but there have been no formal discussions with the hooker.

Golden Lions Rugby Union CEO Manie Reyneke confirmed on Wednesday that they had been approached by Ralapelle's agent/lawyer, Ferdie Hartzenburg, but they have not chatted to the player himself and no offer has been made.

Ralepelle, who will captain South Africa against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday, is looking for a guarantee of more game time and the return of fellow Bok Gary Botha to the Bulls, from English Premiership club Harlequins, may mean more bench frustration for the Bok skipper.

It has been reported that Ralepelle could even captain the Lions, who are now coached by Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir - who ironically is the stand-in coach for the Dirt Trackers XV that will face Leicester on Friday.

"His agent/lawyer [Hartzenburg] approached me and offered him [Ralepelle] to us," Reyneke told this website on Wednesday.

"I immediately phoned Barend [van Graan, the Bulls CEO] to ask if Ralepelle is available. However, he [Van Graan] told me he is under contract [till the end of 2010], so at the moment I can't talk to the player."

Reyneke said he was not sure if Ralepelle and his lawyer are currently in discussions with the Bulls, with a view to get out of his contract, but that the Lions will abide by the laws.

"I would be interested [in obtaining his services] if he was available," Reyneke said, adding: "Out of principle, I always contact the CEOs [of other unions] first, to determine if we are allowed to talk to players.

"I know there are other people who don't do that, but I stay within the laws."

The past three years have been frustrating for Ralepelle, who captain South Africa for the first time against a World XV back in December 2006, before a series of injury setbacks sidelined him for 18 months.

Since his return he has been struggling for regular game time, both at the Bulls and Boks.

A move to the Lions appears to offer the opportunity of not only a regular starting spot, but according to some reports also the captaincy.

The Lions have already raided the Bulls' ranks - with Burton Francis, Louis Boshoff and Marius Delport all confirmed to play in Johannesburg next year.

The Bulls have also lost several other star players - Bok flyer Bryan Habana to the Stormers, Springbok midfielder Wayne Julies to a French club and Emerging Springbok wing Rocco Jansen to Eastern Province.