Ugo Monye will start this afternoon's game against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth. Shane Williams has recovered from the stomach bug that put him in doubt for the game, but he will take Monye's place on the bench rather than running out in the starting 15.

As Monye is a likely test starter, Williams' illness will have put Ian McGeechan and the coaching staff in a difficult quandary. They'll have been trying to rest Bowe and Monye, who played on Saturday against Western Province and are favourite to start in the tests, but with Williams out, it seems that their hand has been forced. Monye may end up having to play three games in the space of 7 days, something basically unheard of in the modern game.

The Lions management may yet rue their choice to leave Leigh Halfpenny, and even Ryan Jones, un-replaced.