Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen gives positive update on Bok duo

Van der Merwe, the latest version of lethal scrum-capped wingers from South Africa, was a revelation for the Lions in the last edition of the United Rugby Championship. His efforts earned him a debut for the Springboks in June, where he scored a superb solo try and was named Man of the Match.

Van der Merwe has been out since July after suffering an ankle injury in the Currie Cup. However, van Rooyen told rugby365.com that the winger is on target for a return in early October.

"He started to join some of our skill sessions," said the Lions coach.

"He should probably be ok for our second home game against Edinburgh [5 October]. That's the goal. "Richard Kriel and WJ Steenkamp are also on the brink of being ready."

Meanwhile, the Lions are also waiting on the return of talented outside centre Henco van Wyk. The former Junior Springbok Player of the Year was part of a Bok alignment camp this year, but a knee injury forced him to go under the knife, sidelining him for four months.

The 23-year-old is expected to be back on the park in the next few weeks. Van Rooyen can't wait for van Wyk to be back in the mix, as he has been earmarked for greatness.

"Henco van Wyk has joined our training sessions and he has also joined some of our 15 v 15 sessions, so hopefully he will be fine in about two to three weeks," added van Rooyen.

"If Henco wasn't injured he probably could've been our sixth Bok [after van der Merwe, Morne van den Berg, Quan Horn, Ruan Venter and Jordan Hendrikse], so hopefully we can have three or four more this season.

"He is looking good. We all know what he can become. Potentially, he could probably be the best player in the world, so we are excited to get him up and running."

The Lions get their URC campaign underway against Irish giants Ulster on 28 September at Emirates Airline Park.

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