VIDEO: Bok coach reveals which stars are fit for Aussie opener
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus delivered a healthy dosage of good news ahead of the team’s departure to Australia.
Two senior World Cup winners are returning from injury.
He announced that Malcolm Marx and Pieter-Steph du Toit might be ready to make their return for the first Test in Brisbane on August 10, after it was initially thought they could only be fully fit for the second Test in Perth a week later.
Marx suffered a leg fracture in the second Test against Ireland in Durban.
However, according to Erasmus, the hooker is 90 percent close to match fitness.
Du Toit (knee) was also injured in the same match, but according to the Bok coach, he could be ready for the first Test.
In other Springbok news, it was revealed that Steven Kitshoff is back to full fitness after he suffered a knee injury in action for Ulster earlier in the United Rugby Championship.
Faf de Klerk, who is struggling with a groin injury, could be ready to face the All Blacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town on August 31 and September 7.
(Article continues below…)
Erasmus explained that the inclusion of Jan-Hendrik Wessels in the touring squad was to cover both loosehead prop and hooker.
“Kitsie needs to play[for Western Province in the Currie Cup].
“Malcolm is 90 percent ready to play next week.
“We don’t want to take an unfit Kitsie and a Malcolm who is dodgy.
“That’s why a Jan-Hendrik Wessels, who can cover loosehead prop and hooker, makes more sense,” the Bok coach explained.
“Pieter-Steph will be ready to play next week.
“That makes your team selection interesting.
“You might not have to put another lock on the bench, or you might if you go 6-2, put another lock on the bench.
“Or put two loose forward on the bench because Pieter-Steph covers five for you, but that must be a fit Pieter-Steph,” Erasmus said.
He also said Du Toit had flu this week, resulting in him not training with the squad the last few days.
“Apart from that, there’s not one guy carrying injuries within the 33.
“Jaden [Hendrikse] is coming back.
“Canan Moodie will be ready to play next week and Damian Willemse is another three weeks.”
Asked if Edwill van der Merwe will be ready to face the All Blacks at his home ground Ellis Park on August 31, Erasmus said it was a long-term injury and he doesn’t think the wing will be ready for that Test match.
The wing got injured playing for the Lions in the Currie Cup after he made his debut against Wales.
“If it goes well one might play around, but then again it is New Zealand.
“If we can work with a 45-man squad and where we can, we can start introducing guys.
“Should he be ready, which I doubt he will be, and things go according to plan in these two Australian Test matches – we’ve got momentum and the fans understand where we are going – then it might be a good time to make some changes.
“But sometimes when momentum is not with you, plans change,” the coach explained.
