The Emirates Lions were dealt a massive blow as they embarked on their European tour with the news that their captain Reinhard Nothnagel has been ruled out of action until at least March.
Nothnagel, who has done a fine job in leading the side as a young captain, limped off against the Sharks with an ankle injury and the assessment is worse than expected, meaning he will miss the next two European Challenge Cup clashes as well as a bulk of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship games. Nothnagel's diagnosis is 8-12 weeks on the sidelines.
There was also further bad news on the lock front, as the team announced for the four-week tour left South Africa on Monday night, as Pieter Jansen van Vuren, who has replaced Nothnagel in the last week, stayed home for the birth of his child.
Ruben Schoeman, who was on the bench against the Stormers, was also left out of the touring squad, and the Lions will have two very young locks for their four-week tour to cover the gaps.
Emile van Heerden, the talented son of Springbok Fritz is the one player who will likely get a lot of game time, while the other is Lions CEO Rudolf Straeuli’s son Ruhan, who normally plays as a flank. The Lions do have a plethora of options in the second row with Willem Alberts will likely start all the games while Darrian Landsberg can also fill in at lock if needed. Ruan Venter and Emmanuel Tshituka can also be stop-gap selections if needed.
The squad was announced late after injuries to scrumhalf Sanele Nohamba, who rolled his ankle and won’t make the touring team and Rabz Maxwane, who hobbled off the field against the Stormers and was ruled out as well.
On the positive side, Springbok Sevens star JC Pretorius will be chomping at the bit to make his debut for the team, after being included in the touring squad, and will add another dimension to the Lions’ loose forwards in the continued absence of Francke Horn.
Maties prop Reinhardt Reijnsburger is also included along with the new journeyman signing Michael van Vuren.
Morne van den Berg and Andre Warner are the two halfbacks that will guide the Lions in Nohamba’s absence and Jaco Kriel is expected to captain the team for the four games on tour. The Lions face a tough tour, starting with Munster in Limerick on Friday night before staying on for their two European Challenge Cup games against Dragons and Stade Francais and a final tour match against Irish side Connacht before returning home.
TOUR SQUAD
FORWARDS: Ruan Smith, JP Smith, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Morgan Naude, PJ Botha, Michael van Vuuren, Rynhardt Reijnsburger, Willem Alberts, Emmanuel Tshituka, Darrian Landsberg, Ruan Venter, Jarod Cairns, Sibusiso Sangweni, Jaco Kriel, Ruhan Straeuli, JC Pretorius
BACKS: Morne van der Berg, Andre Warner, Jordan Hendrikse, Gianni Lombard, Marius Louw, Mannie Rass, Henco van Wyk, Rynhardt Jonker, Edwill van der Merwe, Stean Pienaar, Quan Horn, Andries Coetzee.