Injury-hit Lions get Bok boost

However, they have the luxury of being able to call on the services of three Springboks ahead of the Currie Cup semifinal showdown with the Free State Cheetahs.

The Lions will be without the services of star midfielder Howard Mnisi (knee), wing Courtnall Skosan (groin), prop Dylan Smith (surgery on shoulder) and utility forward Luvuyiso Lusaseni (finger) - all through injury.

The good news is that lock Lourens Erasmus and utility back Sylvian Mahuza started training last week.

Veteran lock Andries Ferreira joined training on Monday.

The Lions do welcome back three Springboks - following the completion of the Rugby Championship at the weekend.

The returning Boks are scrumhalf Francois de Klerk, prop Julian Redelinghuys and hooker Malcolm Marx.

However, Bok wing Ruan Combrinck has not recovered sufficiently from a fractured fibula.

The Lions' other Springboks - Warren Whiteley, Jaco Kriel, Franco Mostert, Elton Jantjies and Lionel Mapoe - have all joined their Japanese clubs for the remainder of the season.