Fred Zeilinga has joined the Lions touring squad as cover for the injured Jordan Hendrikse and Eddie Fouche, who have both returned to South Africa.

Hendrikse and Fouche suffered injuries in the opening two rounds of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, leaving the Lions light on options at flyhalf.

EW Viljoen, more comfortable at fullback or centre, started at No 10 in Saturday’s loss to Glasgow Warriors.

Zeilinga, who played for the Lions during the 2021 Currie Cup campaign, has been called up to the squad to further bolster the Lions’ playmaking options.

The Lions also confirmed that they will be without lock Pieter Jansen van Vuren for the forseeable future as he suffered a medial ligament injury against Glasgow and has joined Hendrikse and Fouche on the flight back to South Africa.

A big target in the lineout, Jansen van Vuren was brought in to strengthen the Lions in the second row on a loan deal from the Pumas.

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