Injuries halt return of Viljoen and Smit
THE Lions’ conclave of coaches will have to consider their options, slightly rethink their plans and rejig their starting XV when the team faces Eastern Province Elephants in their second preparation match next week.
This was all but confirmed after it was revealed yesterday that fullback EW Viljoen and Springbok tourist Roelof Smit will be out of action for a number of weeks after both players sustained injuries in the Lions’ recent 32-28 victory over the Pumas.
The injuries will be considered a minor set-back for head coach Ivan van Rooyen and preparation matches coach Mziwakhe Nkosi, but they will be a set-back nonetheless. Luckily for the duo - both coaches and players - the injuries have occurred during pre-season, and Viljoen and Smit should be eligible for selection once more during the early stages of the Rainbow Cup next month, if their recuperation goes to plan.
Viljoen is expected to be out for three weeks due to a left knee injury. It is not a repeat of the right hamstring he tore in late November last year. Smith, meanwhile, will be out for up to four weeks as he nurses a grade II superficial medial collateral ligament tear to his left knee.
Tiaan Swanepoel entered the fray at fullback after Viljoen's injury last year, adding an extra dimension to
the Lions’ game, much to the delight of supporters. There is a sense, however, that Van Rooyen & Co want the 24-year-old to be more comfortable at pivot and that he will continue to play in the No 10 jumper, as he did against the Pumas, in the upcoming matches, including the one in Gqeberha next Wednesday.
With a similar set up - one filled with youth and fringe players expected again against EP, Viljoen's spot could possibly be filled by moving utility-back Divan Rossouw to fullback, opening up the wing for a replacement. Jamba Ulengo and Rabz Maxwane have not played since Super Rugby Unlocked last year, while Courtnall Skosan and Stean Pienaar will probably not be considered as it was inferred recently that a large group of senior players only returned to training last week. More the like, that the replacement will be selected from the Under-21s.
Smit’s absence, with all due respect to Viljoen, is arguably the more irritating injury. The 28-year-old has had a torrid time with his fitness in recent years, and another injury will halt any progress he has made in recent months to claim regular game time at the union. He has had limited opportunities in the red-and-white hooped jersey since leaving the Bulls last year with Len Massyn, Jaco Kriel and Vincent Tshituka preferred, while ’The Pride’ have hardly seen his prowess on the pitch especially at the breakdown.
Nevertheless, the flank is a quality player, and if his fitness holds upon his return, he will no doubt be a part of the Lions’ plans against European opposition. MJ Pelser came off the bench last week, and could well be Smit's replacement against EP. Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli's son, Ruhan - a lock by trade - can also slot in at the side of the scrum if required.
The Lions will name their team to face EP on Monday.