Lions in search of new skipper after Whiteley blow

THE LIONS are looking for a new captain and No 8 after regular leader Warren Whiteley was ruled out of rugby for up to eight weeks yesterday.

The Springbok No 8 tore his left pectoral muscle in his chest and will be out of action for between six and eight weeks. The good news though is the tendon is intact, and Whiteley won’t require surgery.

Were he to have gone under the knife the 31-year-old could have been sidelined for six months, which would have allowed him little time to be considered for selection for the World Cup in Japan, which starts at the end of September.

Whiteley is now expected to be back in the latter stages of Super Rugby, which is good news for him and the Lions.

Lions coach Swys de Bruin is now looking for a new team leader and No 8, with the Bulls visiting Ellis Park on Saturday. And they, like the Lions, will be looking to hit back after losing at the weekend.

The Lions went down in somewhat controversial fashion to the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday, while the Bulls lost to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires, also on Saturday.

Lions vice-captain Elton Jantjies will be among those considered to take charge of the team, along with the experienced Kwagga Smith and Marvin Orie. Also, Ross Cronje could take up the leadership role should he be cleared to play after spending nearly six months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.

In what will be a new-look loose trio this weekend, and for the foreseeable future, De Bruin can consider seasoned campaigner Robert Kruger, and rookie star Hacjivah Dayimani, both of whom have already featured for the Lions this season .

The other player who could come into the loose trio and who would add some much-needed grunt and power to the pack is Cyle Brink.

Brink is close to returning to action after being ruled out of action last August when, on the verge of his making his Bok debut, he hurt his knee and has been sidelined ever since. It was a second big blow to the powerful backrow forward who was also in line to play for the Springboks in June when England toured South Africa.

Brink, who is comfortable in all three backrow positions, has returned to training and a call on his fitness will be made later this week.

It will also be hoped that prop Johannes Jonker and hooker Robbie Coetzee return to action soon. Both have also been on the sidelines for some time.