Cardiff are set to be boosted by the arrival of at least five members of Wales’ autumn internationals squad in South Africa as the United Rugby Championship returns.
The Blue and Blacks face the Lions in Johannesburg next Saturday before meeting the Stormers in Cape Town the following weekend, after four weeks off from the competition through the test window.
Dai Young was able to welcome Ben Thomas and Owen Lane on to the plane with the main travelling party on Saturday after they were released early from the Wales squad due to not being involved against Australia.
Meanwhile match winner Rhys Priestland, as well as matchday reserves Rhys Carre and Shane Lewis-Hughes will fly out to join the Cardiff squad in the southern hemisphere on Sunday.
Dillon Lewis, Seb Davies, Ellis Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Willis Halaholo and Josh Adams are expected to remain at home for at least the first week of the mini-tour.
Unfortunately it seems they will be joined in staying in Wales by James Botham who has not recovered in time from the shoulder surgery he underwent over the summer.