The Cheetahs have been dealt a big blow with news that Tian Schoeman and Marnus van der Merwe could both miss the remainder of the Currie Cup.

The Cheetahs spurned a 19-point lead as they slumped to an agonising 24-22 defeat by the Lions in Bloemfontein on Friday and it appears they’ve lost more than just the match.

Schoeman, who is Free State’s first-choice flyhalf, suffered a calf injury in the 30th minute, while Van der Merwe (flank) sustained an ankle knock in the second half. Both hobbled off and failed to return to action for the remainder of the contest.

Coach Franco Smith implied that Schoeman and Van der Merwe are at risk of missing the rest of the tournament.

‘It is better that it happened now, than perhaps in the playoffs,’ Smith said.

It is believed the pair face up to six weeks on the sidelines, respectively.

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