[ad_1]
The Lions lost 23-17 to the Stormers in Newlands on October 17, 2020.
Ashley Vlotman / Gallo Images
- The Lions will have nine players unavailable for the Super Rugby Unlocked clash with the Cheetahs this weekend due to Covid-19 protocols.
- However, most are currently only isolating themselves as contacts from the four players who tested positive earlier this week.
- Two players have developed symptoms, although team physician Dr. Rob Collins said they are already in a recovery phase.
the Lions The coaching staff will have to reflect on their team composition for Saturday’s Super Rugby Unlocked meeting with Cheetahs at Ellis Park, as they will have no fewer than nine players available due to Covid-19 protocols.
Team physician Dr. Rob Collins on Thursday provided more clarity on the situation following an announcement Wednesday that four players had tested positive for the virus during the mandatory round of testing earlier in the week.
Despite the apparent increase in players withdrawing from selection consideration, much is due to mere precaution.
“We had four positive tests,” Collins said.
“Of those four, two players have subsequently shown symptoms and the rest of the players who withdrew were player contacts of the players who tested positive.”
Ironically, given the understandable amount of interest the initial news sparked, Collins noted that the two symptomatic players are already on the mend, and that the outbreak is potentially less clustered than initially thought.
“Basically her symptoms have already recovered. I also suspect that some of those positive tests are actually false positive tests,” he said.
Collins also confirmed that the Stormers duo of Steven Kitshoff and Scarra Ntubeni had to be removed because they came into contact with a Lions counterpart who became symptomatic after the game.
“A player developed symptoms on Monday, which is in the 48-hour window after the game against the Stormers,” he said.
“We then had to do a video review and determine the contacts with the player in question. I reviewed the video images together with my colleague from Stormers and Clint Redhead, SA Rugby Chief Medical Officer to determine who was in contact with whom and who. I needed to be “. quarantined.
“For now, the players will be in self-isolation for 10 days depending on factors such as symptoms.”
There have been rumors that some players from other unions show symptoms but test negative, although Collins said such a situation had not been present at Ellis Park.
“It is difficult to determine where the symptoms are related to a Covid-19 infection. There are false positives and negatives. We try to be as diligent as possible within our protocols,” Collins said.
The Lions will announce their team for the Cheetahs clash later Thursday.
The start is at 16:30 on Saturday.
