Lions lose Pretorius to injury

Lions centre Jaco Pretorius has been forced to return to South Africa from Australia with a groin injury.

Lions centre Jaco Pretorius has been forced to return to South Africa from Australia with a groin injury.

Pretorius is the third Lions player to see his tour of Australasia cut short as will thus be absent from the Lions team to face the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday.

The 28-year-old sustained the groin injury against the Waratahs last week and will now join his fellow injured team-mates in Johannesburg.

Centre Justin St Jerry has a concussion, and lock Anton van Zyl has an injured calf muscle.

Lions coach Eugene Eloff said on Tuesday he would not call for a replacement for Pretorius.

After their clash with the Brumbies, Eloff's men have one other match remaining on a so far fruitless tour. They travel to Wellington to meet the Hurricanes. So far, they have lost to the Highlanders, the Crusaders and the Waratahs.

Pretorius missed the match against the Crusaders but returned last week, only to be injured again. Jannie Boshoff will now partner Walter Venter in midfield against the Brumbies allowing Doppies la Grange a well earned rest.

Venter made his Super 14 debut earlier this season when La Grange was unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Lions have still not solved their fly-half dilemma. Jaco van Schalkwyk has produced a few decent performances in the number ten jersey considering that he is not a fly-half by trade, but at this level a specialist is required in such a vital position.

Eloff's option are limited however since the versatile Rudi Vogt still has an eye infection.

The other fly-half option is Earl Rose, who has replaced St Jerry. But Eloff is expected to play Rose at full-back with Louis Ludik moving to the right wing and replacing Dusty Noble.