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Lions scrumhalf: It's worse than expected

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions have provided an update on scrumhalf Dillon Smit and it is far worse than expected.

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Smit will undergo surgery on Tuesday to his injured left shoulder.

The scrumhalf took a blow to the shoulder while chasing a ball back into his own in-goal area in the first half of the team’s 16-19 loss to the Sharks – in a Round One Super Rugby Unlocked encounter in Durban this past Friday.

Although the surgeon will have a better idea after surgery, he expects the recovery period to be between four to six months.

Smit has been dogged by injuries for the majority of his senior career – with ankle and hamstring problems among the more serious.

The Lions will likely rely on MornĂ© van den Berg, who came on as Smit’s replacement in Durban, for their trip to Cape Town – a Round Two encounter with the Stormers.

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen also has Andre Warner and Springbok Ross Cronje to call on.

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The Lions will name their team for the trip to Cape Town on Thursday.

A “bitterly disappointed” Van Rooyen said he was happy with the “character and fight” the players showed in the loss to the Sharks – coming back from 0-13 down to draw level 16-all.

“It was the first game that we have played together as a team,” the coach said, adding: “We are obviously sad about the loss, but I think there are a lot of positives we can take out of it.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

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