Lions have their 'worst week yet'

Lions coach Johan Ackermann described as his "worst week of the year", the horrendous list of injuries suffered by his team in training.

Speaking to rugby365 in the build-up to the Currie Cup season-opener against the Blue Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday, Ackermann revealed that he has lost six key players to injury.

Top of the list is the unfortunate training ground mishap that has again ruled out star scrumhalf Michael Bondesio, who will be sidelined for six weeks after he injured his knee ligaments.

Other backs ruled out include Alwyn Hollenbach (with a shoulder injury), Deon van Rensburg (rib fracture), Anthony Volmink (shoulder injury) and Courtnall Skosan (fractured cheekbone).

To add insult to injury star prop Julian Redelinghuys will spend the next six weeks on the sidelines with a torn calf muscle.

Ackermann described the injury setbacks as "a major loss", especially given that four of the six injuries happened last week.

"We always knew that Alwyn [Hollenbach] and Deon [van Rensburg] were in a race against time," he told rugby365.

"However, the other four injuries happened in training last week."

The biggest setback is that of Bondesio, who was set to make his return to the Lions' frontline selection after being sidelined since the beginning of the Super Rugby season.

"I really feel sorry for him," the coach said of Bondesio, adding: "He worked very hard throughout the Super Rugby season to get back into shape and was looking good.

"We had a semi-contact situation [at training] last week and a player landed on his knee at the side of a ruck  - which tore his knee ligaments.

"He just came through that rehabilitation process in during the Super Rugby season and worked very hard to get his conditioning back, now he has to do it all over again."

Ackermann said that Bondesio is one of those players that when he is on the field he can make a huge difference.

The injuries mean the Lions have been forced to call up a few Under-21 players that could be involved this week.

"We have lost a number of players already - Elton Jantjies has gone to Japan, Franco van der Merwe to Ireland and Chrysander Botha has left for England.

"However, it is an opportunity for some new players and youngsters to put up their hands and help us build depth for next year."

The Lions coach is confident that despite the loss of Redelinghuys, he will have sufficient depth in the front row.

"Corne [Fourie] has returned to the Pumas, so it will be a challenge," he said, adding: "But with Ruan Dreyer and Schalk van der Merwe, who played throughout the Super Rugby competition, I feel we are still strong enough.

"Jacques van Rooyen has been involved in our systems this hole year - so he knows our systems.

"If we do get another injury we will be under a bit of pressure."

The Lions team to take on the Bulls at Ellis Park will be named on Thursday.

"We will have to make some adjustments in midfield and on the wing," Ackermann said.

Anthony Volmink, Courtnall Skosan and Deon Van Rensburg are injured, Chrysander Botha has gone to Ireland, while Coenie Van Wyk and JW Jonker has returned to the Pumas.

By Jan de Koning