Warren Whiteley and Andries Coetzee have signed contract extensions to remain at the Lions until the end of the 2019 season.

The re-signing of these players, as well as that of Ross Cronjé and Courtnall Skosan – who’ll be at the union until 2020 – will come as good news for the Lions. Several high-profile players recently announced that they will leave the Johannesburg-based team at the completion of this year’s Super Rugby competition to further their careers in Europe.

Whiteley was previously linked with a move to English club Gloucester, where Johan Ackermann is the head coach, while Coetzee’s services were sought after by the Sale Sharks and Toulon.

The pair will be in action for the Lions when they take on the Waratahs in a Super Rugby semi-final at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images