Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber on Saturday slammed options that one of many 33 gamers chosen for the Rugby World Cup would fake an injury so as to embrace ace fly-half Handre Pollard as a late substitute.
Missing trio
Pollard, a mainstay of the 2019 World Cup triumph in Japan, was a shock omission from the Springboks’ squad for France as he’s not totally match after a calf injury.
Fellow World Cup winners, centre Lukhanyo Am (knee) and lock Lood de Jager (chest ailment) have been additionally dominated out of the September 8-October 28 event.
All three are scheduled to depart Johannesburg with the World Cup squad on Saturday because the Springboks proceed preparations for his or her title defence.
ALSO READ: Duane Vermeulen prepares for ’emotional’ finish to stellar Bok profession
The reigning champions play warm-up matches towards Wales in Cardiff on August 19 and New Zealand in London on August 25.
Nienaber instructed a press convention at a Johannesburg airport that “There are numerous rumours about our injured gamers.
“But if you have a heart, how do you pick a guy and then tell him to fake an injury and get the other guy in? We would never do that.”
“We have not given our squad to World Rugby but — that solely has to be in on August 21 — however I’m not positive different groups have both.
“We are all taking part in warm-up video games and historical past tells you that you simply usually lose one or two gamers.
“But if there aren’t any extra accidents, then the 33-man squad that we have now named will be going to the World Cup.
’20-25 % readiness’
“Handre is over his injury, however has solely had two coaching classes and remains to be on his method again after not taking part in for 16 weeks.
“He might be at 20-25 % readiness and if we had to push him to 80% now there could be a 90% threat of shedding him in a few weeks.
“For him to play proper now could be like asking him to run a 90 kilometre (56 miles) ultra-marathon in three weeks time, however with solely 10 km per week of coaching.
“The stand-ins (for injured players) have not done too badly,” stated Nienaber, referring to the current Rugby Championship, the place South Africa completed second behind New Zealand.
“We have misplaced solely three of our final 10 Tests. Imagine how they (stand-ins) really feel when everybody is concentrated on the unfavourable and worrying about them taking part in.
“It’s not all doom and gloom and we as coaches are certainly not writing off the World Cup — that is why we have been building depth,” Nienaber stated.
Manie Libbok, inventive with ball in hand however an erratic goal-kicker, is the seemingly substitute for Pollard whereas skilled Jesse Kriel may take over from Am at exterior centre.
RG Strydom appears the apparent selection to substitute lock De Jager.
Kolisi to be match for opener
Springboks captain and flanker Siya Kolisi, out of motion since April with a knee injury, is assured of being match for his or her opening World Cup Pool B match, towards Scotland in Marseille on September 10.
“I’m not thinking about my knee, which is the most important thing. Fitness comes, and in our last training session, things became a little heated, in a good way, and I just got stuck in, which was a good sign,” he instructed the press convention.
“I’m over the injury — it’s now just about getting as many minutes as possible on the field. If I have those small voices in my head then I won’t be able to lead, but I’m not worried.”
Source link
