Boks drop Moerat bomb in injury update
NEWS: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus painted a favourable picture of the national team’s ‘health’, but dropped one major bombshell.
Erasmus said double World Cup winners RG Snyman (lock, knee surgery) and Kwagga Smith (loose forward, knee injury), as well as Ruan Venter (utility forward, knee) are the only players who won’t be back this year.
It was almost in passing, but Erasmus mentioned that lock Salmaan Moerat (sometimes captain) is struggling with a “serious neck injury”.
Although Erasmus did not elaborate, @JanDKrugby can reveal that the return of the 28-year-old is uncertain, as he is struggling with a persistent issue that is described as general ‘wear and tear’ around the middle of his neck (C4 or C5).
Moerat, released from the Bok training camp earlier this week and replaced by Stormers teammate Ruben van Heerden, was sidelined for several months earlier in the year following surgery for torn ligaments in his big toe.
Other career setbacks include a concussion, a torn chest muscle and knee issues, including a ruptured ACL.
It is not clear if surgery for the latest problem will be required and how long he will be sidelined.
Moerat is scheduled to report for duty with French super club Stade Rochelais, but it looks unlikely he will get a medical clearance at this stage.
(Article continues below Rassie Erasmus interview ….)
Other injuries impacting the Boks’ matchday selections include flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (ankle syndesmosis), scrumhalf Morné van den Berg (biceps), No.9 Cobus Reinach (MCL) and hooker Marnus van der Merwe.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu will miss the Nations Championship and return about four weeks ahead of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, while Reinach could be back in July, but will most likely be ‘put on ice’ till August.
World Cup-winning props Frans Malherbe (back and neck issues) and Trevor Nyakane (Achilles surgery) have not featured at all this year and are unlikely to be back soon.
Brothers Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse are also still sidelined, but will be back sometime this year.
Despite the injuries, Erasmus painted a rosy picture and said his biggest problem is ‘getting game time’ for all the players in camp.
Erasmus revealed that locks Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth are fit again, but he has not made a call yet to rest them for next week’s season opener against the Barbarians in Port Elizabeth.
Grant Williams is ready to resume duty at scrumhalf.
Utility back Damian Willemse might also be rested next week, as he had a lot of game time with the Stormers.
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
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