Lions sweat over injured Mapoe
The high-flying Lions are running the risk of being without one of their star players, Springbok training squad member Lionel Mapoe.
Mapoe is struggling with a knee injury and is in a race against time to be fit for his team's trans-Jukskei Super Rugby derby with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann told rugby365 that for the most part his team suffered only "bumps and bruises" in their 34-29 win over the Cheetahs last week.
However, the centre, Mapoe, remains a concern.
Ackermann said they will give him till Thursday's team announcement before making a call on his availability.
"I am hopeful that he will be available," Ackermann told rugby365, adding: "However, we also have to be clever – given the tough schedule in the weeks ahead and not take unnecessary risk."
The Lions mentor admitted Mapoe is a key member of the team – currently on a record-breaking five-match winning streak, beating the four-match winning streak the Johannesburg-based franchise achieved in 2007.
"He is in good form and playing great rugby," Ackermann said of a player he regards as Bok material.
"He [Mapoe] and Harold [Vorster] have formed a solid combination there [in midfield].
"It would be good to have him available, but we should not be short-sighted.
"If this was a semifinal or a Final we would have pushed him, but I will be guided by the medical team to decide wether he should be rested.
"He has reacted well to treatment so far, and we have till Thursday – thereafter there's another two days to the game."
Ackermann said the midfielder, who was named in an extended pre-World Cup Bok training squad this week, would be an asset to the national team.
"If you're looking for an outside centre with X-factor, then Lionel is definitely your man," said Ackermann.
"If I was the Springbok coach, then I would take him along to the World Cup," the Lions mentor said, adding that one of Mapoe's main strengths is his versatility.
While he plays mostly at outside centre for the Lions, the former Bok Sevens player is equally comfortable on the wing.
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
@rugby365com
