The Lions will have a new skipper for Saturday’s Currie Cup final against Griquas at Ellis Park.
Coach Mziwakhe Nkosi confirmed that hooker PJ Botha, who has led the team in their last three matches, has been ruled out after suffering a serious knee injury in the semi-final win over Boland.
Botha, who left the field early in the playoff, is not expected to return before December and will also miss the start of the Lions’ Vodacom URC campaign.
Nkosi said the Lions coaches are still debating who will take over the captaincy for the decider, with the choice likely to be between fullback Quan Horn and flyhalf Chris Smith. Another captaincy candidate, loose forward Francke Horn, is injured.
Morné Brandon is expected to wear the No 2 jersey in the final after replacing Botha during the semi-final, with Franco Marais also available again after falling ill last Saturday.
The team will be named on Friday.
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