Lions due good to go for final

The Lions have received a fitness boost ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby final against the Crusaders in Christchurch after flying winger Aphiwe Dyantyi and strongman Cyle Brink were passed fit to travel.

Springbok wing Dyantyi scored a brilliant solo try in the Lions' 44-26 semi-final win over the Waratahs in Johannesburg on Saturday, but left the field at halftime with a hamstring complaint.

He has been included in the 25-man party to make the journey to New Zealand though, along with loose-forward Brink, who missed the semi-final with an arm injury.

The powerful Brink has been a stand-out performer this season in the place of injured former skipper Jaco Kriel and both he and Dyantyi are likely to start the decider against the Crusaders.

The Lions are hoping to make it third time lucky after losing the 2016 Super Rugby final away to the Wellington Hurricanes, and failing again in a home decider against the Crusaders last year.

It would be their maiden title, with the Pretoria-based Bulls the only South African side to lift the trophy in the past, a feat they have managed on three occasions.

Lions travelling squad:

Backs: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Courtnall Skosan, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Howard Mnisi, Elton Jantjies, Shaun Reynolds, Ross Cronje, Dillon Smit

Forwards: Warren Whiteley (captain), Hacjivah Dayimani, Lourens Erasmus, Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Marnus Schoeman, Marvin Orie, Franco Mostert, Ruan Dreyer, Johannes Jonker, Jacques van Rooyen, Dylan Smith, Malcolm Marx, Corne Fourie.