Smith, Lewies hit by injuries

The Lions suffered a double injury setback yesterday, on the eve of their departure to Buenos Aires for their opening Super Rugby game against the Jaguares this weekend.

The Lions confirmed that flank Kwagga Smith had picked up a calf strain, while lock Stephan Lewies also had to stay behind with a minor muscle tear, though both players were expected to be ready for their game against the Stormers at Newlands next week.

“It looks good with the team. Just those one or two changes,” said Lions coach Swys de Bruin.

“But we’ll monitor Kwagga and Stephan, and we’ve brought Dillon (Smit) in Kwagga’s place on the bench. We initially would have gone over without a specialist nine on the bench.”

Smit, however, was bracketed with flyhalf Gianni Lombard, with De Bruin due to make a final call only once they had arrived.

If they went with Lombard, fullback Andries Coetzee would provide cover at flyhalf.

Other players not considered this week due to long-term injuries included Cyle Brink (knee), hooker Robbie Coetzee (knee), prop Johannes Jonker (shoulder) and scrumhalf Ross Cronje (shoulder).

Captain Warren Whiteley was nonetheless set to lead a strong Lions side which included eight Springboks in the starting lineup, as well as wing Ruan Combrinck on the bench.

Each of the previous seven meetings between the Jaguares and Lions had been won by the home team, with the Lions holding the edge after securing four wins over the Argentine side.

Prop Carlu Sadie was expected to make his Super Rugby debut for the Lions, but in hooker Malcolm Marx he would have an experienced campaigner alongside him who had won more turnovers (27) than anyone else in the 2018 Super Rugby season.