There was a mixture of good and bad news for the Emirates Lions as they announced a 28-man squad to go on tour for their next three Vodacom United Rugby Championship matches.
While there was some hope that flyhalf Kade Wolhuter would be fit for the trip after he limped off in the first half of their win over Edinburgh last week, it has been decided he will stay at home, but the Lions have replaced him with fit-again Gianni Lombard, who can also play 10 for the team.
The Lions do have a number of options in the position, including Sanele Nohamba, who doubles up as a nine and 10 for them at times, but Lombard’s return will be a boost for a side that will need a strong pivotal performance in conditions that are likely to see a lot more kicking.
Also back in the squad is Richard Kriel, who was about to return last week but has been declared fit to go on tour and is likely to be seen in his old position in the next week or so.
The Lions have included their Springboks - Morne van den Berg, Quan Horn and Edwill van der Merwe - while Ruan Venter is on the sidelines injured.
Other talents like Henco van Wyk and Renzo du Plessis are there, as well as Marius Louw and JC Pretorius.
The Lions injury list is not as long as initially expected, and other than Wolhuter, Tapiwa Mafura, Venter, Siba Qoma, Morgan Naude and Morne Brandon are ruled out with injury.
The Lions will face the Dragons this weekend, followed by games against Zebre and Leinster before returning home.
SQUAD
Forwards: Pieter Botha, Jarod Cairns, Ruan Delport, Francke Horne, Darrien Landsberg, Franco Marais, Reinhardt Nothnagel, Asenathi Ntalabakanye, Heiko Pohlman, Johannes Pretorius, Ruben Schoeman, Juan Schoeman, RF Schoeman, Renzo du Plessis, Conraad van Vuuren, Jaco Visagie.
Backs: Erich Cronje, Quan Horn, Rynhardt Jonker, Richard Kriel, Marius Louw, Rabz Maxwane, Sanele Nohamba, Nico Steyn, Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe, Henco van Wyk, Gianni Lombard.