Full extent of Lions' injury crisis revealed

UPDATE: The full extent of the Lions’ injury crisis was revealed on Tuesday, with the front row beginning to look arid.

The news on Monday that seasoned loosehead prop Dylan Smith and the Lions Rugby Company (Pty) Ltd have parted way, was followed a day later with confirmation that another veteran will remain sidelined for at least another week.

Sithembiso Sithole is only expected to return to full training on March 21 – following the hamstring injury he suffered on March 9.

Smith has officially joined Stade Francais as a medical joker, the French Top 14 club announced on Tuesday.

This has thrust two unheralded props into the frontline – 22-year-old Nathan McBeth and 20-year-old Banele Mthenjane – for their Preparation match against the Sharks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

The team’s tighthead side of the front row is better stocked – with veteran Springbok Jannie du Plessis, powerful Carlü Sadie, Wiehahn Herbst and Asenathi Ntlabakanye in the frame.

Other injury concerns include Springbok Jaco Kriel (return to full training in June – ankle surgery), Emmanuel Tshituka (available for selection on April 12 – shoulder injury in February), Roelof Smit (expected to return to full training on April 5 – knee injury on February 26) , Travis Gordon (expected return to play date March 29 – shoulder operation in November), Hacjivah Dayimani (back to full training next week – meniscus surgery in November), Jamba Ulengo (returned to full training on March 8 – injured knee in December), EW Viljoen (back to full training next week – knee injury in February), James Mollentze (damaged his ACL, MCL & meniscus on March 10 – expected to be out for nine months), Mark Snyman (fractured right wrist – expected to be out for 12 weeks) and Gianni Lombard (predicted time of return to training is October (can be earlier) – knee surgery in November).

* Meanwhile, the Lions Rugby Company had 70 players and staff tested for COVID-19 on Monday, March 15, and all have been cleared with negatives results.

The Lions Rugby Company (Pty) Ltd. and @Dy1Smith have agreed to a mutual separation with immediate effect.

The LRC and Smith share fond memories respectively.

Read the full press release here: https://t.co/17ypCZBPvX pic.twitter.com/umLv3e9FVm

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 15, 2021

Only 4 days to go until we welcome the Cell C Sharks to Emirates Airline Park!

Here are some of the top sights for our last encounter here at home.#LIOvSHA pic.twitter.com/fd9ODpycOU

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 16, 2021