Rugby

New worries over another big injury blow for Boks

The Boks will play 4 Tests on consecutive Saturdays subsequent month – towards Ireland in Dublin on 5 November, France in Marseille on 12 November, Italy in Genoa on 19 November and England in London on 26 November on the Outgoing Tour.

The SA ‘A’ crew, coached by Mzwandile Stick, will play two mid-week matches – towards Munster on Thursday, 10 November, and the Bristol Bears every week in a while 17 November.

ALSO READ | ELTON JANTJIES OUT, ZEENAT SIMJEE RETURNS

In a wide-ranging press convention on Tuesday, it was confirmed that Handre Pollard will miss the Boks’ end-of-year tour because of injury, with Damian Willemse anticipated to proceed at No 10, whereas Johan Goosen will present flyhalf cowl.

Despite the Boks missing specialist flyhalf choices, Elton Jantjies won’t be thought of for choice, with director of rugby Rassie Erasmus confirming that the 32-year-old merely hasn’t performed sufficient rugby of late.

Manie Libbok, Gianni Lombard and presumably Jordan Hendrikse may all tour with the SA A crew.

In phrases of depth at flyhalf, although, extra worries have materialised for the Boks now that there’s speak that veteran Frans Steyn – who slotted in at 10 through the last Rugby Championship Test – may very well be dominated out of the end-of-year tour because of injury.

According to OFM Sport, Steyn is carrying a knee injury and there are fears that be could also be out of motion for a prolonged interval, which may embrace the Cheetahs’ European Challenge Cup marketing campaign that begins in December.

READ | BOK COACHES TO WORK WITH LIBBOK, LOMBARD – REPORT

On Tuesday, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber additionally mentioned the Boks’ flyhalf choices for the end-of-year tour, and defined why they have been snug of coping.

“Handre underwent an operation after the recent Leicester Tigers game,” Nienaber commented on Tuesday. “It will be tough for him to make it in time for this tour.

“Earlier this season when Handre and Elton were out, Damian stepped up nicely. He started a few games for us and then we also used Frans Steyn at flyhalf in the last game of the Rugby Championship.

“Then in our alignment camps we had Johan Goosen with us, and he was also there in preparation camps before the Wales series. He was recovering from injury, but he is now back and getting a go in the URC. So I’ve already mentioned five flyhalves, and then there are also some other players who have been performing well in the URC who we are keeping an eye on.

“So even if we have to be without Handre or Elton, we are still very comfortable with Damian, who has proven himself in the couple of Tests he played at flyhalf. Then it’s nice to have Johan who is able to fill in, and it will be good to see how he could deliver in terms of our system.”

READ | WHY BOKS ARE CONFIDENT OF COPING WITHOUT JANTJIES

PLAYERS INVITED TO BOKS’ TRAINING CAMP:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (each DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks)

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks)

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)

Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks)

Flyhalf: Johan Goosen (Vodacom Bulls)

Centres: Jesse Kriel (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Sbu Nkosi (Vodacom Bulls)

Utility Back: Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)

Damian Willemse was dominated out of the Springboks’ last Rugby Championship match towards Argentina at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Photo: Daniel Jayo/Getty Images

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