Surgery a setback for Lions centre's Bok dream

NEWS: The Lions’ Henco van Wyk has gone under the knife and is expected to be out of action for at least four months, ruling him out of contention for Springbok selection this year.

The centre got injured in the game against Leinster this past weekend and had to undergo knee surgery.

Van Wyk was one of five Lions players who attended the Springbok alignment camp earlier in the year after some sterling performances for the men from Johannesburg this season.

The chances of him being ready for any Test rugby later this year is questionable.

The Lions’ kicking consultant, Morné Steyn, spoke to the media at Wednesday’s training session and said he believes the Lions would need to put up a Test-match performance against the high-flying Munster in their United Rugby Championship clash this weekend.

"Especially now, getting to the end of the season and the play-offs, it is going to be important to play Test-match rugby," the former Springbok flyhalf stated.

"We must get more in the other team’s half. We are going to play some quality teams, and we have to be on point now."

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Steyn revealed that his role, as the kicking consultant, involved the whole team and not just the traditional kickers like the scrumhalves, 10’s and 15’s.

"My main focus is to get everyone involved – not just the No. 9’s, 10s and 15s.

"I see a massive improvement in guys like Marius Louw, who is working every day to get in a few strikes. I think you can see the difference.

"There is a good understanding within the team now and what we want to do," he added.

"If you look at the New Zealand and Irish teams, the outside backs are kicking a lot more.

"That is a big work-on for us in South Africa.

"Sanele and Krappie [Van den Berg] are doing very well there with Jordan when he is playing there. There is a good balance between running and kicking, and it is getting better with every game."

The Lions host Munster at home at Ellis Park on Saturday.