VIDEO: The lock options for crisis-hit Boks

Two frontline locks are confirmed as ‘unavailable’ and star Eben Etzebeth is also in the ‘doubtful’ category ahead of the Rugby Championship crunch fixture between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park on Saturday.

Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids confirmed that Salmaan Moerat and RG Snyman are out of the Round Three match in Johannesburg.

More worryingly, veteran lock Eben Etzebeth is doubtful for Saturday’s clash.

Moerat is still battling with a concussion he suffered in Australia, while Snyman is struggling with a leg injury.

Etzebeth, an integral figure in South Africa’s engine room and a leader in the team, will be the biggest loss for a team struggling with second row resources.

Another veteran lock, two-time World Cup winner, Franco Mostert suffered a leg fracture in the loss to Ireland in July and could be sidelined for some time.

He was not named in the squad for the two Tests against the All Blacks – Johannesburg this week and Cape Town a week later.

Ireland-based World Cup winner Jean Kleyn is also still sidelined after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year.

Another lock, Lood de Jager, is still sidelined with a rotator cuff injury and may not play again this year.

Despite all the injuries, Davids put up a brave front as the Boks started their build-up to the Ellis Park face-off.

(WATCH as Springbok forwards coach Deon Davids reveals the extent of the team’s lock crisis and the available options….)

“Salmaan followed the normal protocol for HIA,” Davids told a media briefing at the team’s base in Johannesburg, adding: “He won’t be available for this game.

“RG Snyman is also sidelined as a result of a leg injury. He’ll he sidelined for a couple of weeks.

“Eben Etzebeth is also struggling with a bit of a niggle.”

Davids suggested the Boks have some ‘good depth’ in the second row in the current squad.

“Ruan Nortje had a good game in the last outing,” he said of the Bulls, who started at No.5 in the 30-12 win over Australia on August 17.

“Pieter-Steph du Toit played in that [No.5 lock] position [in the 33-7 Round One win over the Wallabies in Brisbane the week before].

“We have an experienced guy, Nicolaas [Janse van Rensburg], that we brought in [from Montpellier],” he said about the 30-year-old, whose only cap was off the bench against Argentina in August 2021.

“Ben-Jason Dixon also played a couple of games at lock for the Stormers.”

He admitted it would be tough to lose that amount of experience.

“It is also exciting to see the quality the next player can bring,” Davids added.

He was ambiguous when asked about the prospects of Etzebeth being declared fit.

“We will wait for the doctor’s feedback on that.

The Springboks will name their team on Tuesday.

@king365ed
@rugby365com