Van Wyk setback for Lions

The Emirates Lions have been hit by a setback ahead of their three-week overseas tour with the news that top midfielder Henco van Wyk is out with an injury.

While little is known about the extent of the knee injury that Van Wyk suffered, as a key part of their campaign this season, he will be a massive loss as the team heads to Galway first for their match in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship against Connacht.

Following that they will head to Wales to face the Ospreys and then to Italy for their EPCR Challenge Cup playoff game against Benetton.

There is some good news on the return of the “bone collector” - veteran Willem Alberts, who at 39 years old is in the touring squad, replacing Ruan Venter.

Also on the injury list is Corne Fourie and Travis Gorden while four players have been named on standby to join the side at a later stage - those being Gianni Lombard, Ruhan Straeuli, Rabz Maxwane and Rynhardt Jonker.

The touring squad also includes stars like Emmanuel Tshituka and Jordan Hendrikse, both who announced last week they will be leaving the Lions for the Sharks next season.

Off to Europe on a serious mission.😤#LionsPride🦁 pic.twitter.com/uVPOt3RN5h — Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 19, 2024

TOURING SQUAD

Forwards: Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Conraad van Vuuren, Darrien-Lane Landsberg, Emmanuel Tshituka, Etienne Oosthuizen, Francke Horne, Hanru Sirgel, Izan Esterhuizen, Jaco Visagie, JC Pretorius, JP Smith, Morgan Naude, PJ Botha, Reinard Nothnagel, Ruan Dreyer, Willem Alberts.

Backs: Andries Coetzee, Edwill van der Merwe, Erich Cronje, Jordan Hendrikse, Marius Louw (captain), Morne van den Berg, Nico Steyn, Quan Horn, Richard Kriel, Sanele Nohamba, Stean Pienaar, Zander du Plessis.