Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
The Emirates Lions have been dealt a massive blow with the news that their talisman flanker Vincent Tshituka is out for another six weeks with injury.
Tshituka is struggling with a shoulder injury and Lions forwards coach Albert van den Berg revealed it was a bit more serious than initially thought.
The Lions have acknowledged that it will take a lot longer to get the inspirational Tshituka, who scored a superb try in their win over the DHL Stormers in December, back on the field.
“Vincent is with us every day at training, but he won’t be back soon,” Van den Berg revealed.
“He’s strengthening his shoulder at the moment and the last thing we want is to bring him back and then he has another setback. We want to give him enough time to recover so that he stays on the field.”
Tshituka withdrew from selection shortly before last week’s team announcement to face the Sharks and was replaced by Ruhan Straeuli, who is likely to continue in the role this weekend.
Van den Berg praised Tshituka and said it was a bitter pill to swallow that he wouldn’t be available for selection.
“It’s his work ethic, his work rate. He’s a hard worker, he makes his tackles, he carries strongly, he’s just one of those players who always gives 110%. He’s been around a bit too, he has some experience now, so we miss him for sure.”
The Lions also have Reinhard Nothnagel on the sidelines in a similar position, and he won’t be rushed back either.
The Lions face the Vodacom Bulls in their next Vodacom United Rugby Championship assignment this weekend.