The Lions' unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end this afternoon as they fell 24 - 6 to Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.
When you consider the competition for back row spots in the Springboks set-up, you would imagine it must be pretty daunting for an uncapped player with international ambitions.
Edinburgh suffered a heavy and frankly humiliating 55-21 defeat against the Lions in Johannesburg in the United Rugby Championship.
As a new United Rugby Championship (URC) season approaches, we take a closer look at the physical makeup of the 16 sides competing for silverware.
Argentina winger Emiliano Boffelli will make his first appearance of the season for Edinburgh when they host Lions on Friday night.
Cardiff paid for a slow start as they suffered a 37-20 United Rugby Championship defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg.
The match will see the return to action of Jaco Kriel, who left Premiership side Gloucester at the start of the year to return to SA and the Lions earlier this year.
Super Rugby may have diminished in fan interest in recent years, but that hasn't stopped it churning out talent... check out the RugbyPass Super Rugby Under-23 squads.
Lions head coach Swys de Bruin has made a few changes to his team for Saturday’s Super Rugby Round 16 clash against the Stormers on Saturday - not least dropping Elton Jantjies.