The Lions have suffered a major setback ahead of their first-ever Vodacom URC playoff appearance.
Springbok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg has retured to South Africa for treatment on a bicep injury.
The Joburg-based side is already without influential utility forward Ruan Venter, who suffered a knee injury against Leinster two weeks ago.
There are further concerns over the fitness of captain Francke Horn and midfielder Henco van Wyk, who will undergo scans in Ireland after suffering hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.
The Lions, who finished seventh on the URC standings after losing to Munster to set up a rematch against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, have decided to remain in Ireland rather than head back to Joburg for a break.
MORE: Lions count cost of bruising loss
Meanwhile, the URC citing commissioner has decided not to pursue disciplinary action after Munster replacement hooker Diarmuid Barron claimed he was spat on by Lions flank Siba Mahashe at a ruck.
Video footage was “inconclusive” and showed “no clear and obvious spitting action” by Mahashe, who denied the accusation and explained he had been struggling with his gumshield after contact moments earlier.
“As there is no video evidence to support the accusation, I am of the opinion that a citing is not feasible in this case,” the ruling stated.
Photo: Gallo Images
The post Lions rocked by Bok blow ahead of Leinster clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
