The Lions are sweating over the fitness of star fullback Andries Coetzee ahead of Saturday's crucial clash against the Stormers at Newlands.

Coetzee is struggling with a hamstring strain, and will need to pass a fitness test later in the week in order to be cleared to play.

Meanwhile, the Lions confirmed that Springbok wing Ruan Combrinck could make a return to action towards the end of April, while flyhalf Jaco van der Walt will be out for four more weeks with a foot injury.

On the long-term injury list, prop Dylan Smith will be out for approximately six months.

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