Lions lose key duo for Currie Cup playoffs

Cape Town - The Golden Lions have received setbacks ahead of their Currie Cup semi-final against Free State with two key players out injured.

Prop Dylan Smith sustained a shoulder injury in last Friday’s 28-16 win over the Sharks and will miss the remainder of the season.

He will undergo an operation on Wednesday, but will be available for the start of Super Rugby next year.

Centre Howard Mnisi’s season is also over after suffering a grade two injury to his left knee. He will be sidelined for four to six weeks.

In some good news for the Lions, lock Lourens Erasmus returned to training on Tuesday this week following a side strain.

The defending champions will travel to Bloemfontein to tackle the unbeaten Cheetahs in the semi-finals next Saturday (October 15).