Lions captain Warren Whiteley might be on the coaching box in next season’s Super Rugby tournament.
Still battling with a knee injury which now threatens his career, Whiteley might not play in the tournament next season.
But that doesn’t mean he won’t be in coach Ivan van Rooyen’s camp as part of the coaching staff.
Van Rooyen is making use of all the experience he can gather and has also roped in ex-Springbok tighthead prop, Jannie du Plessis.
EXPERIENCE: Jannie du Plessis has been roped in for the Lions. Picture: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix.
Of the 37-year-old coach, he says: “Jannie did some fitness testing and he’s in great shape.
“He’ll certainly be a player the youngsters in our squad can learn from but he’s made it clear he’s here to play.
“He’s very keen to play Super Rugby again and I’m expecting there to be good competition between the props in our squad.”