The chances of South Africa’s Lions ending New Zealand’s recent rule over Super Rugby have been hurt with the playoffs approaching after influential captain Warren Whiteley was ruled out for 6-8 weeks with injury, likely seeing him miss the rest of the competition.
The Johannesburg-based Lions have over the last two seasons been the team most likely to challenge the New Zealand outfits, who have won four of the last five Super Rugby titles and are in position again to dominate the playoffs.
The Lions are second overall to the Christchurch-based Crusaders ahead of their final two regular-season games, against Japan’s Sunwolves on Saturday and the Sharks two weeks later.