Lions coach Frans Ludeke's plea for the release of Delarey du Preez from national squad ranks for this weekend's clash against the Elephants at Ellis Park fell on deaf ears on Tuesday.
Du Preez's participation in this weekend's clash against the Wallabies at the Gabba had been in doubt and Ludeke rightly thought he was perfectly within his rights to call on some assistance from Down Under.
It's not as if Du Preez is the first-choice hooker - or the second - in the national side, so if he's not, let us make use of his services in the best interests of the player, his province and his country, would have been the Lions' thinking in their approach to Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli.
The request was, however, turned down as Straeuli, as expected, kept his options open for Saturday's Test.
The Lions had made the tentative approach after the combative hooker Leon Boshoff was ruled out of this weekend's clash because of a calf injury, while his back-up, Andre van Niekerk, cried off with injury as well.
Boshoff tore a calf muscle in the Lions' defeat at the hands of the Eagles last week, while Van Niekerk's injury has not been specified.
The Lions had failed to assert themselves in the opening clash of the competition against the South Western Districts Eagles last weekend, and, understandably, Ludeke is keen to round up the best possible selection against the Elephants.
With Du Preez, Boshoff and Van Niekerk declared unavailable, James van der Walt has another opportunity to impress in the senior team.
He had established himself as one of the Lions' most impressive players in the Vodacom Cup in the initial stages of the competition, but faded towards the end.
He is set to be elevated to the starting line-up for this weekend's clash with Willie Weppener as a possible substitute.
Among the other casualties expect to see the names of flank Piet Krause and centre Eugene Meyer.