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Lions struggle with injuries



The MTN Lions season isn’t even under way and already the team’s management has to manage a number of injuries.

The feared news on midfielder Dylan des Fountain’s knee arrived as it was confirmed he had torn his Anterior Cruciate ligaments on his knee, meaning a rehabilitation programme of close to six months.

If all goes well, Des Fountain could be back for the post-June games but it is likely he will have to concentrate on a Currie Cup comeback after the injury.

Des Fountain explained on Twitter that “Unfortunately my foot got stuck and was tackled from both sides and knee went”, with the diagnosis being torn ligaments.

The former Stormers and Bulls player will undergo surgery soon, but then will start the long road to recovery.

But those aren’t the only headaches in the Lions camp. With Boks Elton Jantjies (broken bone in hand) and prop CJ van der Linde (groin operation) on the recovery path at the moment, the team needed to call in a fourth scrumhalf after two of their halfbacks were injured.

Beeld reported on Wednesday that Pumas scrumhalf Tian Meyer joined up with the side after injuries to Ross Cronje and Whestley Moolman, who will be out of action “for a few weeks”.

Cronjé is suffering from a finger injury while Moolman has a niggle in a tendon in his heel.

Michael Bondesio is first choice halfback, but his backup is a concern for the Lions.

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