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.
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 Morné 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.
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.”
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