Lions' duo out injured again

UPDATE: The Lions paid a dear price for their 32-28 victory over the Pumas in their preparation match at Ellis Park last Friday.

Two senior players utility back EW Viljoen and loose forward Roelof Smit will both be out of action for at least three weeks - after sustaining knee injuries.

The Lions confirmed the news on Wednesday.

Viljoen injured his left knee and he will be sidelined for three weeks.

Smit has a Grade II superficial MCL tear in his left knee and will be out for three to four weeks.

The setback is just the latest in Smit's career, who has spent lengthy periods on the sidelines.

His run of bad luck started when injury robbed him of his first Springbok cap, when he was injured in the week he would have made his debut against England in 2016.

In 2017 he played less than a full match, after a torn pectoral muscle and torn MCL ruled him out.

In May 2018 he suffered another serious knee injury, sidelining him for the rest of the season.

Despite eventually working his way back to full fitness, he struggled for game time at the Bulls in 2019 and in frustration made the move south across the Jukskei.

He has played only a handful of games at Ellis Park and the latest setback won't do him any good either.

* The Lions play the EP Elephants in a Preparation match in Port Elizabeth next Tuesday, March 9.