Cape Town - The Lions have received a big blow with the news that flyhalf Elton Jantjies may be out of action for up to a month.

The Beeld newspaper reports that the severity of Jantjies's foot injury, which kept him out of their Super Rugby match against the Sharks over the weekend, was determined on Monday.

Further bad news is that centre Alwyn Hollenbach injured his hamstring early in the clash against the Sharks in Durban and could be sidelined for up to three weeks.

Luckily for the Lions they have a bye this weekend but they have a tough schedule ahead in the coming weeks with several frontline players out injured.

Jantjies and prop Pat Cilliers (stomach bug) pulled out of the Sharks clash last Friday after initially being named in the team.

Cilliers's withdrawal before the Sharks game was a big blow, considering that they had already lost JC Janse van Rensburg (six weeks) and CJ van der Linde (three to four weeks) due to injuries.

Young prop Caylib Oosthuizen fared well against the Sharks but their depth could be tested there in the coming weeks.

Other players already on the injury list include: Loose forward/lock Wikus van Heerden (concussion), hooker Bandise Maku (shoulder), centre Dylan des Fountain (knee), lock Michael Rhodes (knee) and wing Lionel Mapoe (hamstring).

After their bye they take on the Stormers (home), Crusaders (home), Cheetahs (away) and Bulls (home).