Johannesburg - The Lions have suffered a blow to their Super Rugby title challenge with the news that scrumhalf Nic Groom has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
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The 28-year-old fractured his left hand in this past weekend's clash against the Bulls at Ellis Park and he will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday.
The Lions do at least have experienced cover in the position.
2017 Springbok Ross Cronje will now be the front-runner to start this Saturday's quarter-final against the Jaguares in Johannesburg, while Dillon Smit also has significant Super Rugby experience.
There was no other news on the injury front for the 2016 and 2017 tournament runners-ups.
Kick-off on Saturday is at 15:05.