Lions lose plenty of muscle as high-flying Province arrives

INJURY UPDATE: The Lions have suffered another massive setback in the wake of the embarrassing loss at the weekend.

It was confirmed on Monday that veteran Springbok Willem Alberts has been sidelined for the rest of the season.

Alberts sustained a high-grade tear of his right hamstring muscle in the 10-39 loss to the Pumas in Nelspruit this past Friday.

"He will most likely be out for the rest of Currie Cup," the Lions said in a curt statement.

Apart from his experience - with more than 250 first-class games between the Lions, Sharks and Stade Français, to go along with 43 Test caps - Alberts was also one of the team's leaders.

The Lions will be hoping to get some of their big names back for the mid-week clash with the high-flying Western Province.

Players like Burger Odendaal, Len Massyn, MJ Pelser; Ruben Schoeman, Jaco Visagie and Sithembiso Sithole all missed the trip to Nelspruit.

Province started their campaign with a comprehensive 48-24 win over a depleted Bulls team at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend.

The short turnaround will not help either team, but the Lions - who have to go into a 10-day hard lockdown bubble ahead of their encounter with the British and Irish Lions team on July 3 - faces a real challenge.