With just one round of URC action remaining before the Springboks depart for a training camp in Jersey, there was always a concern that there could be some injuries to contend with before the national team’s final fixtures of the year.
That fear seem to be realised on Saturday when Damian Willemse pulled up with what appeared to be some discomfort in his groin area after scoring a try for the Stormers against the Glasgow Warriors.
Willemse had just returned to form and fitness after missing the Rugby Championship due to injury, and it was certainly noteworthy that he immediately needed to be replaced on Saturday.
Further scans on the injury will undoubtedly be undertaken, but all signs suggest this could be another frustrating injury for the utility back, who could well be ruled out of the November Tests.
The Springboks will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday 10 November), England in London (Saturday 16 November) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday 23 November) on their traditional end-of-year tour.
Rassie Erasmus had named an incredibly powerful squad, but some key players are missing due to injury, and it is certainly worth keeping in mind which players could still further strengthen the squad next year.
These are the stars currently unavailable to the Springboks:
- Faf de Klerk (thigh injury)
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (knee injury)
- Steven Kitshoff (neck injury)
- Lood de Jager (shoulder injury)
- Salmaan Moerat (knee injury)
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels (ankle injury)
Wessels, who is equally adept at prop and hooker, was named in the initial 34-man Springbok squad on Tuesday.
However, he was subsequently been ruled out of contention after it emerged that he suffered an ankle injury in the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship clash against the Scarlets last Saturday, prompting Erasmus to call up his franchise team-mates Wilco Louw and Johan Grobbelaar.
Their inclusion in the group increases the number of players in the squad to 35 – comprising 19 forwards and 16 backs.
“It’s always sad to lose a player to injury and we wish Jan-Hendrik all the best on his road to recovery, but this opens up the door for Johan and Wilco to make their mark against quality opposition in Scotland, England and Wales,” said Erasmus.
“Jan-Hendrik offered us the luxury of serving as a prop and hooker, but with his versatility out of the picture, we decided to call up a specialist prop and hooker.
“Johan has been part of the squad this season and is really growing in his role and in the team, while Wilco has been delivering consistently superb performances for the Vodacom Bulls this season, and he has been knocking on the door for a while now, so I have no doubt he will want to grab this chance with both hands.
“We are certainly excited to see what they bring to the squad, while Wilco’s inclusion also adds to our player stocks as we continue to build our squad depth.”
Updated Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
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