Lions lick wounds after Sharks mauling

The Lions suffered a number of injury setbacks during their 37-10 loss at the hands of the Sharks on Friday.

A Sharks outfit boasting a number of Springboks dominated all facets of the game under the hot Durban sun, but the Johannesburg franchise's woes continued post-match as they counted the wounded.

Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen told Rugby365 that captain Reinhard Nothnagel, prop Sithembiso Sithole and hooker Pieter Botha are all likely to miss Saturday's game against the Stormers. The Lions were already light on experience, with No.8 Francke Horn and veteran prop Ruan Dreyer sidelined.

Unfortunately for the Lions, it's out of the frying pan and into the fire, as the Stormers will have the likes of Damian Willemse, Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff - to name a few - to call on this week.

"It is going to be similar pressure next week when we face a Springbok-laden Stormers team," admitted van Rooyen.

"The ability of those Springboks to turn it on, and when they have you under pressure to just finish it off, is world-class.

"That is why they perform as they do and we will face the same next week â- a counter-attacking game and a good set piece. We don't have a lot of time to fix it, but we have to make sure we are ready for the game.

"It is a great opportunity for the young guys to play against the superstar Boks to see where they are in their careers."