Cronje passed fit for action

The Lions received a timely boost yesterday as scrumhalf Ross Cronje (below) was cleared ahead of the resumption of their Super Rugby campaign this weekend, but Springbok captain Warren Whiteley’s availability is still unclear.

Cronje (concussion) and Whiteley (groin) were both ruled out of the third Test against France at Ellis Park on Saturday, the venue for the Lions’ match against the Sunwolves on Saturday.

“Warren did a few tests today (yesterday) and we will only know by tomorrow (today) what his road ahead is,” Lions coach Johan Ackermann said yesterday.

“Ross is ready to play and the rest of the guys are good to go and we’ll decide in the week what roles they will play.”

Although Ackermann gave the rest of the returning Boks and players who did duty with the SA A side against the French Barbarians a clean bill of health, he cautioned that their workload will be managed carefully during the Lions’ final push before the playoffs. They have a bye after the match against the Sunwolves, after which they conclude the group stage away to the Sharks.

“It was all about assessing them after they came back,” said Ackermann. “We will have to look at everyone and see how much game time he got, whether he played off the bench or started, if he is carrying any niggles and then manage it from there.”

Fullback Andries Coetzee, wing Courtnall Skosan, flyhalf Elton Jantjies, hooker Malcolm Marx and lock Franco Mostert have started all three Tests against France, while flank Jaco Kriel and prop Ruan Dreyer only took part in the third Test.

Centre Lionel Mapoe only played in the second Test, but was also involved with the SA A side along with centre Harold Vorster, wing Ruan Combrinck, lock Andries Ferreira and flank Ruan Ackermann.