Lions sweating over another loose forward injury
NEWS: The Lions, desperate to end their winless streak, was dealt another cruel blow on Tuesday.
Their substantial injury list got a new addition, with loose forward Francke Horn doubtful for the Rainbow Cop SA Round Four visit by the table-topping Bulls this coming Saturday.
Horn rolled his ankle during the heartbreaking 37-39 injury-time loss to the Stormers this past weekend.
“He will be observed by the medical team to determine the extent of the injury,” the Lions said in a social media post.
Horn started at No.8 this past weekend and along with Vincent Tshituka and MJ Pelser played a big role in taking the team to the brink of their first win in the competition.
Should he be ruled out it will further deplete a pack that recent lost burly lock Wilhelm van der Sluys – sidelined for six months with a shoulder injury.
The good news is that seasoned loose forward Roelof Smit could be back in the selection frame this week, the injury-prone Springbok having been sidelined with a knee injury since February.
The Lions also gave an update on the injury status of versatile backline star Tiaan Swanepoel.
Emirates Lions injury report
Francke Horn rolled his ankle during the match this past weekend, but will be observed by the medical team to determine the extent of the injury.
Video: Tiaan Swanepoel gives an update on his recovery process.#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/ao0WW0EKIt
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) May 17, 2021
The 24-year-old, who can play fullback and flyhalf, suffered a fractured right fibula during his team’s 9-24 defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Round Week.
Having been in a cast for the past fortnight, he has another four weeks in the stabilising structure.
“After the cast [comes off] I have three weeks of rehabilitation,” Swanepoel said.
He said he misses playing with the team and was hopeful of a “speedy recovery”.
Swanepoel added that he is doing ‘upper body’ work while out of commission and getting some “rest and recuperation”.
A deft offload from Jordan Hendrikse on his full @LionsRugbyCo debut
Newsletter 🗞️ https://t.co/rwovIpqZDF pic.twitter.com/KNjr5kxSAs
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) May 18, 2021
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