The Lions have been delivered serious injury news before they leave to play the Sunwolves in Singapore this week, with Kwagga Smith, Vincent Tshituka, Dylan Smith and Dillon Smit each ruled out of action for a minimum four weeks.
The Johannesburg-based Super Rugby franchise are still celebrating their incredible comeback victory against Melbourne Rebels at the weekend, but the Lions’ team doctor, Dr Rob Collins, had sombre news on Tuesday.
Kwagga Smith will be out of action with a groin tendon injury for around six weeks.
He is joined on the sidelines by Tshituka, who has concussion and an ankle injury (six weeks); Dylan Smith, who fractured a cheek bone playing against the Rebels (8-12 weeks); and scrumhalf Dillon Smit, who sustained a hamstring injury on Friday (4-6 weeks).
Fullback Andries Coetzee is also struggling with a light hamstring injury that sees him miss the trip to Singapore, although he’s expected to miss only the one match.
Sylvian Mahuza and Jacobie Adriaanse are both fit to return this week, while Cyle Brink and Johannes Jonker are due to be fit for the game against the C Sharks on Apr. 5.
Inspirational Lions captain Warren Whiteley, who is absent with a pectoral muscle, remains on target to return in mid-April.