Emirates lions
Cheetahs, centurions and the Jukskei derby in Super Rugby Unlocked
Saturday sees a double-header with the Griquas hosting the Sharks while the Lions and Bulls pack down at Ellis Park.
The decision was taken as part of prescribed precautions advised by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) to limit the risk of further infection in the rugby community.
Andries Coetzee will don the number 15 jersey.
Marx will be able to enjoy a temporary release after the 2019 Rugby World Cup for a sabbatical in Japan and he will return to South Africa and the Emirates Lions in June 2020.
The 31-year-old, who has been beset with injuries since he was named South Africa captain two years ago, suffered the injury during a match against the Chiefs in April and he said it is taking longer than expected to heal.
The match ended 27-17 in favour of the home side as the Lions remian winless against South African opposition.
Regular skipper Warren Whiteley is still out injured, while Malcolm Marx is being rested in line with Rassie Erasmus' requirements.
Coastal Sharks will lack two injured Springbok front rowers, prop Tendai "The Beast" Mtawarira and hooker Akker van der Merwe, against the Lions as they seek to improve a dismal home record.
Regular captain Warren Whiteley continues to struggle with injuries and will sit out the encounter due to a bruised knee.
Captain Warren Whiteley has missed a majority of the Lions games in this year’s Super Rugby campaign because of various injuries and sat out both Monday and Tuesday’s training sessions at the Johannesburg Stadium.
The Lions Rugby Company have now concluded their own internal investigation into the matter and have decided that Mongalo will stay in his position.
The Lions suffering their fifth loss of the season while the defending champions recorded a 25th consecutive win at home.
Warren Whiteley failed a fitness test at the Lions captains run on Thursday and will be replaced by Kwagga Smith in the line-up.
A gutsy defensive performance in the second half giving the Lions a hard fought and memorable win on the road.
Emirates Lions winger Courtnall Skosan has returned to South Africa from the tour of Australasia to tend to his gravely ill father.
Warren Whiteley has recovered from his pectoral injury and will Captain the Lions for the first time in seven weeks when they face the Chiefs at the FMG Stadium in Waikato on Friday morning.
Lions centre Lionel Mapoe will play in his 100th Super Rugby match for the Johannesburg union when they come up against the Brumbies at the GIO Stadium in Canberra on Saturday.
Lions coach Swys de Bruin says he hopes his young side grow on their tough three-week long tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Malcolm Marx will continue to captain the side in the place of Warren Whiteley who is on the standby list.