Lions lose promising star
SQUAD UPDATE: Lions have paid a dear price for their 23-17 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Lions flyhalf Gianni Lombard will return home after he sustained a knee injury during the impressive away win in New Zealand on Saturday.
The 21-year-old, who started in the NO.10 jersey ahead of Springbok Elton Jantjies, left the field in the second half.
The Johannesburg franchise revealed the former Junior Springbok will undergo further tests to determine the extent of the injury once back in South Africa.
Shaun Reynolds and Jan-Henning Campher will join the squad as replacements.
Lombard’s injury is certainly not good news for the team who already sit without the service of Springboks wing Courtnall Skosan and head coach Swys de Bruin.
Skosan returned home to be with his father, who is gravely ill and De Bruin’s return is due to ‘personal reasons’.
Meanwhile, defence coach Joey Mongalo is also absent from the tour and is facing an internal disciplinary hearing.
Mongalo, who was charged with indecent assault on a Sydney hotel worker, was found guilty and ‘sentenced’ by a Sydney court last week.
Gianni Lombard suffered a knee injury in the VSR match on Friday and is returning home. He will undergo further tests to determine the extent of the injury once back in the country. Shaun Reynolds & Jan-Henning Campher will depart for NZ on Sat evening as back-up.#LionsPride pic.twitter.com/cK2e5hY2yX
— Emirates Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) April 20, 2019
