Triple boost for Lions

In further good news At the same time, Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies, who is in doubt for their match against the Blues at Ellis Park this coming Saturday - following a knee injury he suffered while colleding with a teammate in the loss against the Hurricanes in Week 10 - is making steady progress.

Jantjies injured his medial collateral ligament in his right knee in their 17-50 loss to the 2015 Super Rugby finalists at Ellis Park on April 30 and will undergo a fitness test on Thursday, May 12, to determine whether he will be available for this coming Saturday's encounter.

The influential pivot had also suffered a wrist injury six weeks ago and was initially scheduled to undergo surgery on March 22, but it was later revealed that surgery wasn't required.

Marx picked up a soft tissue neck injury in their 29-22 win over the Stormers in Round Eight and Redelinghuys was also added to the injury list with a sprained wrist sustained in the same match.

The Lions, who are second on the combined African conference standings, lie two points below the first-placed Stormers (who are on 29 points) and top the Africa Two conference (with 27) and will be desperate to retain their lead ahead of second-placed Sharks (26).

All three of the Lions' defeats this season have been to New Zealand sides - having gone down 15-34 to the Highlanders in Round Three, 37-43 to the Crusaders in Round Six and 17-50 to the Hurricanes in Round 10.

Their only victory over a Kiwi franchise was in Round Two, a historic 36-32 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Four of the Lions' remaining matches are at home - against the Blues (Round 12), Jaguares (Round 13), Sharks (Round 15) and the Kings (Round 16).

Johan Ackermann's side will travel to Pretoria to face the Bulls (Round 14) and will wrap up the regular season at Estadio Jose Amalfitani against the Jaguares (Round 17).