Shane Williams' already super slim chances of starting this weekend's test match against the Springboks have been dealt another blow as the Lions wing has contracted a bout of gastroenteritis.

He will not travel to Port Elizabeth with the matchday 22 for Tuesday's game against the Southern Kings as originally planned, and instead Tommy Bowe travels as cover. Stomach bugs in South Africa are not uncommon and have effected touring teams in the past. It's an extremely contagious disease, so Lions fans will have their fingers crossed that Williams is the only player to be sidelined by the illness.

The management have yet to officially rule him out, but it's unlikely at this stage that he will recover in time for Tuesday's game.