The Fidelity Securedrive Lions were dealt a massive blow ahead of their Vodacom United Rugby Championship quarterfinal showdown against Leinster when Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg opted to undergo surgery on his injured bicep on Wednesday.
Van den Berg has been a key figure in the side’s best-ever finish in the URC and attaining their goal of making the playoffs for the first time.
The nippy scrumhalf is also a leadership figure in the side and would be a key player for their hopes of an upset in Dublin in the quarterfinal.
The Lions haven’t released any information about the injury, other than to say Van den Berg returned home to Johannesburg to receive treatment for the bicep, but the surgery he underwent will surely rule him out for the quarterfinal.
He is also expected to be a key figure in the Springbok set-up for the international season and it is likely that this influenced his decision.
Either way, he is another Bok scrumhalf that is injured ahead of a long international year and joins Jaden Hendrikse, Grant Williams and Cobus Reinach on the sidelines at this current point.
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For the Lions, it is another blow as they have already lost the services of another Springbok in Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who was handed an 18-month ban last week for using a banned substance, and is out of all rugby until after the Rugby World Cup next year.
Then they currently have injury worries in captain Francke Horn, who has a hamstring strain, and midfielder Henco van Wyk, with an ankle injury. Both were due to undergo scans in Dublin to ascertain the seriousness of the injuries and the Lions will be hoping both will be ready for the quarterfinal.
On top of that, utility back Richard Kriel failed an HIA against Munster and has to complete the return to play protocols before he can be considered. The Lions are, however, hopeful he will be available for the Leinster game.
There is also uncertainty about another Springbok - Ruan Venter, who left the field with a knee injury in the 4th minute in the league game against Leinster a fortnight ago and returned to Johannesburg for treatment. The likelihood is that he will not play again for the Lions this season, but this must still be confirmed as the side has been quiet about the extent of the injury.
Either way, with all the injuries, and a tough Leinster side at home waiting for them, the Lions will have to dig deep to get a victory, and if they do, it will be considered the upset of the season.