Boks sweating over Etzebeth
Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts, addressing the media after the team's arrival in Eastbourne on Sunday, said the guys are "in good shape".
However, there remains concern over Etzebeth, who is struggling to overcome a calf injury sustained during he team's pre-World Cup training camp back in South Africa.
He has not been ruled out of the team to play against Japan in the Boks' opening match, in Brighton this coming Saturday, but a cloud of uncertain remains over his fitness.
"He started running last week and we will progress him this week," Roberts told the media scum.
"A decision on his availability will be made later in the week.
"Otherwise it is up to the coach to select the players he wants for the first game," said Roberts."
Roberts was full of praise for his medical team and the franchises back in South African for helping the Boks overcome a crippling list of injuries in recent months.
The Bok coach, Meyer, is likely to have a full squad to select from for the Boks' first match in Pool B.
And a lack of match fitness will also not be a major issue for the South Africans.
"In a way the fact they didn't play was also a blessing, because it also enabled us to really work really hard on their conditioning," Roberts said.
"It is a double-edged sword. Yes, there isn't game time, but you're able to get the conditioning up to speed and the strength work that they needed. So it can be a blessing as well."
The team doctor described getting the players match fit as a "balancing act".
"We wouldn't put them on the field if they weren't fit to play. That is the key thing.
"They are here because they are fit to play and they can go. We need to manage their loads, but there are also non-injured players that we need to manage their loads.
"Each individual is on an individual programme."
He added that can't expect Victor Matfield to have the same training programme as Pieter-Steph Du Toit, because they're different.
"Rugby is a collision sport and you are going to pick up injuries.
"For us it is about trying to get the guys on the field and get them performing on the field.
"Only time will tell in terms of the performance on the field, but experienced players return to form is generally quicker than other players and hopefully we can get away with guys coming here with very little game time.
"We need to give them some game time, hopefully we have four pool games and they hopefully go well and we can take them into the second part of the tournament."
@rugby365com
