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Johannesburg - The Lions have received a pleasant surprise with the news that their Springbok wing Courtnall Skosan could be back in action sooner rather than later.
Skosan was injured in a "freak accident" in training a few weeks ago, with the Lions announcing he tore his ACL in his knee, and prompting a diagnosis of at least six months on the sidelines, according to the supersport.com website.
It was feared that Skosan wouldn't be able to take part in Super Rugby this year and was out for the June Test series against England as well, but it seems now that he could be back in April already, confounding what most would have thought was a long period on the sidelines.
Coach Swys de Bruin confirmed that Skosan could be back in 9-10 weeks and that would make some of his wing headaches a lot less, especially with another Bok Ruan Combrinck also out with injury.
Combrinck is expected back at the middle to end of April, and it now seems Skosan will be back, if all goes well, around about the same time.
"We're blessed as far as injuries are concerned, it looks like the guys will return quickly. Even Courtnall's one, which they said was six months, is now two and a half months. So I'm happy, it's looking positive," De Bruin said.
"We're still waiting for Combrinck though, he will be middle April, hopefully before the tour."
De Bruin said he was surprised at hearing the news, but welcomed it in the light of the tough season ahead.
"That's what the doc said, he's the optimist. It's lovely to have a team doctor like that but if we can have him back in nine, 10 weeks even that would be fantastic."
Skosan announced his injury on his YouTube channel on Wednesday.
"I am injured, I did hurt my knee in training and I don't know how long I will be out for," he said in a video.
"I'm really looking forward to the recovery process and my wife is really looking after me well.
"I just want to say thanks for all the messages of encouragement wishing me a speedy recovery. This is part of the game, getting injuries, getting hurt. You know when you sign up for rugby, when you sign that contract anything can happen. I always say it doesn't matter how hard life hits you, whatever you are doing in life, don't forget to look up.
"It is just one of those things which make me exercise my faith again."
The Lions are likely to rely on either Lionel Mapoe or Madosh Tambwe to fill Skosan's place in his absence.
