Lions waiting on Whiteley

The Lions will be waiting on news of a possible return for inspirational captain Warren Whiteley as they depart on their Vodacom Super Rugby tour of Australasia on Tuesday evening.

Coach Swys de Bruin named an experienced squad for the trip, but left one spot open in the 27-man touring party for a player to join the team after their first game against the Brumbies on Saturday. That name will come from a group of players on standbye, with Whiteley being one of them.

With the aftershocks still being felt after their 42-5 loss to the Sharks last Friday, De Bruin will be desperately looking for answers, but the return of Whiteley and what he means for the team will be a major boost if it does happen.

According to a touring squad list released by the Lions, there are six players on standbye, with Whiteley’s name being grouped with midfielders Harold Vorster and Wandesile Simelane, utility back Tyrone Green, flanker James Venter and hooker Jan-Henning Campher.

Malcolm Marx will lead the side on the tour where they will face the Brumbies, Chiefs and Crusaders. Flanker Kwagga Smith is also back in the squad after missing the last two games through injury.

AUSTRALASIAN TOURING SQUAD 2019

Forwards: Carlu Sadie, Cyle Brink, Frans van Wyk, Hacjivah Dayimani, Johannes Jonker, Kwagga Smith, Malcolm Marx, Marnus Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Nathan McBeth, Rhyno Herbst, Robbie Coetzee, Stephan Lewies, Sti Sithole, Wilhelm van der Sluys

Backs: Andries Coetzee, Aphiwe Diyanti, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Franco Naude, Gianni Lombard, Lionel Mapoe, Nic Groom, Ross Cronje, Ruan Combrinck, Sylvian Mahuza

Injured players: Dylan Smith (cheek-bone), Jacobie Adriaanse (hamstring), Pieter Jansen (calf), Reinhardt Nothnagel (shoulder), PJ Steenkamp (fractured tibia & fibula), Robert Kruger (ankle), Vincent Tshituka (ankle), Ruan Vermaak (fractured right thumb), Dillon Smit (hamstring), Manuel Rass (concussion)