The Emirates Lions face an uphill task at home on Saturday to try and break their duck against South African franchises this season after the news that they will be without two of their stalwarts for the game against the Cell C Sharks.
The Lions will be without both flyhalf Jordan Hendrikse and midfielder Henco van Wyk, who are both out for a protracted period and will definitely miss the game this weekend.
Van Wyk is likely to miss the rest of the normal season with a meniscus tear that was operated on last week while the team had some time off, and he is only expected to be back in training in about two months' time.
Hendrikse is “managing an injury” according to coach Ivan van Rooyen and will be out for another “two to three weeks”
The loss of both is a massive setback as the Lions try to “reset” and find their feet again after some disappointing performances over the last two months.
There is some good news with the fact that winger Rabz Maxwane and scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba have both recovered from their injuries and will be available for selection again.And while on the subject of injuries, captain Reinhard Nothnagel is on his way to recovery and should be out for another month, while Francke Horn has started to run with the team again and should also be back in about three to four weeks.
“There have been some injuries but like we always say it is not always nice but it is an opportunity for someone else to come through. As you saw Henco van Wyk had an operation last week, but he is, unfortunately, out for a little while,” coach Ivan van Rooyen said.
“For us, it is to find a way around it but to play a specific way as well.”
The Lions will name their side for the clash against the Sharks on Friday.