Etzebeth's miraculous recovery
INJURY UPDATE: Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has gone from probably being sidelined for the rest of the tour to a possible starter against France.
The dramatic change in the bruising lock’s status was revealed on Monday, as the Boks stepped up preparations for the second match of their year-end tour.
Following their heartbreaking 11-12 loss to England at Twickenham this past Saturday, the Boks face France (in Paris), Scotland (Edinburgh) and Wales (Cardiff) on consecutive Saturdays.
According to Bok coach Rassie Erasmus, there is a good chance that Etzebeth will be considered for this coming Saturday’s Test.
Etzebeth left the field early in the Twickenham Test with a foot injury and was replaced at lock by Rudolph Snyman.
“The injury is not as bad as we initially thought,” Erasmus said on Monday.
“We will give Eben until Tuesday to prove his fitness,” he added.
This is in stark contrast with the coach’s declaration after the match at the weekend.
“Eben looks pretty bad,” Erasmus said in his post-match assessment.
“He is out definitely for next week and maybe the tour.
“The way he is walking doesn’t look great, it looks like an ankle and will be a while before he is playing again.”
BREAKING: @fafdeklerk has joined the Springbok squad in Paris and is available for Saturday’s Test against @FFRugby at the Stade de France. More to follow. #boksontour #LoveRugby pic.twitter.com/lWNDLzzT4E
— South African Rugby (@Springboks) November 5, 2018
* Meanwhile Francois de Klerk, Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw and Vincent Koch joined the squad in Paris and are all available for selection for Saturday’s Test against France.
De Klerk (scrumhalf) linked up with the South African squad on Monday – after Le Roux (fullback), Louw (flank), Koch (prop), Mostert (lock) and Kolbe (utility back) met up with their teammates on Sunday evening in French capital.
The nippy scrumhalf and the other European-based Springboks were not considered for the past weekend’s match against England at Twickenham, because that match fell outside the official international window.
De Klerk (20 Test caps) was last week named as a 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, alongside Bok teammate Malcolm Marx (hooker).
Sale Sharks commission statue in honour of World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Faf De Klerk!
We don’t know what all the fuss is about? 👀
Read the full story here 👉 https://t.co/1VD7uoNAZr pic.twitter.com/Z2FBRQ2GH3
— Sale Sharks🦈 (@SaleSharksRugby) November 5, 2018
“It’s good to welcome Faf, Willie, Cheslin and the others back into the squad,” Erasmus said.
“They bring along some valuable experience and knowledge of the European conditions and we are looking forward to working with them again. All of them will be available for selection for this weekend.”
Erasmus is set to announce the Springbok match 23 for the French Test on Thursday.
