Lions’ Kwagga to rest

Cape Town - Returning Springbok Sevens star Kwagga Smith is unlikely to feature for the Lions in the remainder of the Super Rugby competition.

The Blitzbokke returned to South Africa on Wednesday after finishing their Sevens World Series campaign in London at the weekend.

While the Stormers have indicated that they would like to utilise Seabelo Senatla if possible, the Lions will opt to rest Smith, Netwerk24 reports.

The 21-year-old Smith, who was also included in the Sevens World Series Dream Team for the 2014/15 season, last week extended his contract with the Lions until the end of 2016.

But the Lions are unlikely to utilise him for the remainder of the Super Rugby season, with the union indicating that he needed a breather. He will only join his team-mates next Wednesday.

According to SANZAR regulations, a player needs to play at least four Super Rugby matches in order to be eligible for the playoffs.

The Lions have only three league games remaining - against the Cheetahs (Bloemfontein, May 23), Waratahs (Johannesburg, May 30) and Stormers (Cape Town, June 6) - so resting Smith may be a wise move.