The Emirates Lions are hoping for the best news after their injury setbacks following the loss to Munster in the United Rugby Championship last weekend.
Facing the might of Stade Francais in Paris is a daunting task already but there was some light at the end of the tunnel for Ivan van Rooyen’s side with hope that both flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse and midfielder Henco van Wyk could well be declared fit ahead of the weekend.
Assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher revealed that both players were in a race against time to be fit for the EPCR Challenge Cup clash with the French side on Saturday.
“On Henco, we have some good news,” Loubscher said via a Zoom call from Paris.
“We started with agility work and he joined us for units but the doctor Rob Collins and Pam Watts, our physio, will make a final call on Thursday.
“Jordy is also busy with straight-line running, and Morgan Naude is doing the same. Ruan Venter, with his groin; there is a little bit of concern regarding him.”
“That’s good news for us in terms of Morgan, Jordan and Henco”
The good news can’t come at a better time, as the Lions are already without props Sti Sithole and Ruan Dreyer, captain Reinhard Nothnagel, No 8 Francke Horn and scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba, all of whom are injured. Winger Rabz Maxwane was also ruled out before the tour while lock Pieter Jansen van Vuren stayed behind for the birth of his child.
The Lions have two more overseas matches before returning to Johannesburg, and will face the Dragons next weekend before their final mini-tour ends with a game in Galway against Connacht.