Boks delay decisions on Faf and Eben
INJURY UPDATES: South Africa will play a waiting game on two of their key players.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that a call on the fitness of seasoned lock Eben Etzebeth will only be made later in the week.
The experienced lock picked up a foot injury in the 11-12 loss England at Twickenham on November 3, which forced him to miss the 29-26 win over France in Paris this past weekend.
If Etzebeth is declared fit, there is likely to be a number of changes to the pack.
Etzebeth will return to the second row to partner Franco Mostert, with Pieter-Steph du Toit shifting to blindside flank.
It will allow Duane Vermeulen to move to No.8.
It will ensure the Boks don’t need to rush injured No.8 Warren Whiteley back and allow him to recover fully from the calf injury he picked up against France.
* Meanwhile the Boks confirmed that a decision on whether to recall scrumhalf Francois de Klerk for next Saturday’s final Test of the tour, against Wales in Cardiff, will only be made after the Scotland match this coming Saturday.
The No.9 was released back to his English club, Sale Sharks, for this weekend’s English Premiership action.
📸 | The Scotland squad were back out on the training pitch at Oriam earlier today as we continue to the countdown to face the Springboks in front of our tenth successive capacity crowd at BT Murrayfield! #AsOne pic.twitter.com/p5JlqpWp74
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 13, 2018
Springbok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot has described Scotland as a formidable side, who will present the Springboks with a difficult.
“We are improving as a pack and up here in the Northern Hemisphere it is important to gain ascendency from where we can launch attacks and put the opposition under pressure,” Proudfoot said.
The Scots have built a formidable record at Murrayfield in the past two seasons, with their only loss from nine home Tests coming against New Zealand last November.
“They are a very good side and Gregor [Townsend, Scottish coach] has done a fantastic job with the team since he took over,” said Proudfoot.
“The challenge at the breakdown and the contact point is always crucial in a Test match.
“The difference [compared to the French game] is that Scotland is probably a lot better technically in the defensive contact situations, while the French were very physical.”
Proudfoot also lauded some of the other Scottish strengths: “Their continuity play and their ability to apply a kicking game, which allow them to counter off the back of that, are some other strong points.
“They are also a very disciplined side who are able to defend for long phases, so you don’t get to break them down easily. That means you must have a lot of patience against them>”
The Springbok side to face Scotland on Saturday will be named on Thursday.
