Boks hold breath on comebacks
A number of key Springboks could make their comeback against Argentina this weekend, provided they get through the week unscathed.
Team doctor Craig Roberts was happy to report that there were a host of previously injured players that took part in full training in Durban on Monday, but added a caution that their availability this weekend will depend on how they react to the training workload.
The likes of captain Jean de Villiers, veteran scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, flank Willem Alberts, lock Pieter-Steph du Toit and centre Jan Serfontein are all in line to get back into the Test arena on Saturday after lengthy breaks, but will first have to show that they can cope properly with the preparations this week.
On top of that list, there are also a few players who have recovered from more short-term injuries such as flank Marcell Coetzee, No.8 Warren Whiteley and prop Steven Kitshoff who are also back in the selection mix provided they prove themselves on the teaining ground.
"We have quite a few guys that we need to make a call on this week and it depends on how they get through training. We will make that decision later in the week in terms of how they have progressed but at the moment they are looking quite good.
"Vincent Koch with a rib cartilage problem, Warren Whiteley has also got a rib cartilage problem. Trevor Nyakane has actually tweaked his back a little bit so he didn't train today [Monday], we will give him some treatment and see how he responds.
"Marcell Coetzee with that knock to his knee he has responded really well, trained today and we will see how he responds to make a decision but he is looking good for the weekend," said Roberts.
While this poses some interesting questions about how best the returning players should be integrated into the team for the final game of the Rugby Championship, coach Heyneke Meyer will surely be anxious to give those who have been out of action for extended periods some crucial gametime in the build-up to the World Cup.
Roberts said that although it is exciting to have these players involved in full training once again, their involvement this weekend depends entirely on how they respond to training during the week.
"Obviously we have to get through a week of training as well, but Pieter-Steph played his first game for the Sharks and the feedback was that it went really well. He did full training and if he gets through the rest of the week he will be available for selection.
"Jean de Villiers also stepped aside to get some gametime and we are really happy with what he has done in terms of gamrtime so if he gets through training this week he is also available for selection.
"Fourie du Preez is in a similar boat, trained this morning and we are happy with him, the test will be how he responds to the load of the training but he may potentially be ready.
"Jan Serfontein will also be ready coming back from that knee and that hip problem and Steven Kitshoff who had that medial knee ligament strain also did a full training session today so it is looking good for the weekend.
"Frans Malherbe has got a little tear in the cartilage in his hip and a little bit of a bone bruise. We ran him today and it is about how he responds. We will know tomorrow whether he will be available for the weekend.
"The last one on that list is Willem Alberts who is actually looking good, we have been building him up over the last couple of weeks and if he gets a good training week this week he could potentially be available for the weekend," he said.
With the team for the clash against Argentina set to be named on Wednesday the next 48 hours will be crucial for those looking to make their comeback.
"When I say get through training this week for me it is about getting through training today and seeing how they respond, so assess them tomorrow, and how they get through training tomorrow.
"The big days are today and tomorrow, then there is a scrumming session on Wednesday," Roberts added.
Although Meyer will not want to completely overhaul the team that narrowly lost out to Australia and New Zealand and risk losing what momentum they have, the bigger picture is the World Cup and which players he can take to England with confidence.
Whether the returning players are brought off the bench or backed to start will depend on different factors such as the depth in their respective positions and how they pull up in training this week, but the fact that the Boks have just 160 minutes of Test rugby left before the World Cup will surely also have an influence on who gets their chance and when.
By Michael de Vries, in Durban
