Lions suffer captaincy blow
INJURY UPDATE: For the second week in succession, the Lions have lost a key member of their squad on the eve of a match.
It was revealed on Thursday that captain Warren Whiteley has “failed a fitness test” and won’t lead the team against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.
Whiteley, who has been struggling with a litany of injuries in recent years, is struggling with a troublesome knee.
The severity of the injury has not been confirmed.
Albertus Smith will take over the captaincy and also moves to No.8.
Marnus Schoeman moves into the starting line up at No.6 flank.
Hacjivah Dayimani moves onto the bench as loose forward cover.
Whiteley’s withdrawal follows the dramatic news last week when coach Swys de Bruin departed New Zealand – on the eve of the team’s 23-17 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton last Friday – for “medical” reasons.
Since his arrival back in South Africa, it has been confirmed that the condition is “stress related”.
Lions – revised: 15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Elton Jantjies, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Albertus Smith (captain), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Stephan Lewies, 3 Carlu Sadie, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Sithembiso Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20 Hacjivah Dayimani, 21 Ross Cronje, 22 Franco Naude, 23 Tyrone Green.
Date: Friday, April 26
Venue: Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), James Munro (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
