British and Irish Lions

The star flanker has been out of action with a calf injury but had hoped to return in time for the conclusion of the Stormers' season.

However, the 26-year-old has yet to fully recover and will therefore play no part against the Force or the Cheetahs this weekend and next.

Despite the delay in his return, the former IRB World Player of the Year is expected to be fit in time for the first Test against the Lions in Durban on June 20.

Although a number of South Africa's leading players have been struck by injury in recent weeks, Springbok head coach Peter de Villiers has already claimed he is not at all worried by the apparent severity of the situation.

In contrast, the national convener of selectors for the Boks, Peter Jooste, has voiced his own concerns ahead of the three-match series against Ian McGeechan's tourists.

"It [the injury situation] is a big worry for us," Jooste told the Business Day.

"Experience is important in a Test series against the Lions. What makes the situation worse is that the players are dropping as the international season draws closer.

"It is not only the possibility of injuries that is a concern for us in the next few weeks. Judging by the Super 14 log it seems as though our teams might have to travel in the semi-final stages and the teams they could come up against are physical, which makes it even tougher."

Having become only the ninth Welshman to pick up a Heineken Cup winners medal, Gethin Jenkins is now getting ready for his next challenge - holding on to his British & Irish Lions Test spot.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.