VIDEO: Boks just have one fit flyhalf
NEWS: South Africa only have one fit flyhalf training in the build-up to the Rugby Championship.
South Africa’s Director of Rugby Johan Erasmus revealed that Stormers pivot Manie Libbok is the only No.10 able to train with the squad in Pretoria.
Handre Pollard, who injured his calf while playing for Leicester in the Premiership, is going to be sidelined for a ‘while longer’ – after it was expected he would be good to go during the current training camp in Pretoria.
“He will definitely be part of the Rugby Championship,” Erasmus told a media briefing at the team hotel in Pretoria.
However, they could not confirm the exact date of his return to training.
Damian Willemse also suffered a knee injury and is not training.
Erasmus was confident that Pollard and Willemse will both recover in time for the Rugby Championship, starting on July 8.
“We are running a bit thin at No.10,” he added.
Erasmus added that they have not closed the door on a possible return for Elton Jantjies, following his dramatic exit last year – in the wake of a scandal over a reported extra-marital affair.
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“We all know we are playing six Tests to the World Cup and there is likely to be injuries,” Erasmus said.
“Elton, the way he has been playing over in France [Agen] we will consider him.
“We will wait for the doctor to tell us if we need an additional flyhalf.”
Speaking about injury utility back Frans Steyn, Bok coach Nienaber said it will be “extremely tough” for the player to get into the squad for the Rugby Championship, in light of his knee injury.
“He didn’t see himself being able to train with us during the preparation phases of the Rugby Championship.”
Nienaber said captain Siyamthanda Kolisi is still hitting all his ‘rehabilitation targets’ and aiming to play in some of the pre-World Cup warm-up games.
“He is on track,” the coach proclaimed.
Lock Eben Etzebeth looks set to return in the middle of the Rugby Championship, as he recovers from a shoulder injury suffered while playing for the Sharks in the European Cup.
Scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse is also making good progress with his rehabilitation.
Kurt-Lee Arendse has fully recovered from his injury and started training with the squad on Wednesday.
Deon Fourie also has a bit of a niggle, but the rest of the squad is fully fit.
Springbok Rugby Championship training squad:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Retshegofaditswe Nche (Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).
Hookers: Joseph Dweba (Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Spears), Mbongeni Mbonambi (Sharks).
Locks: Lodewyk de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Marvin Orie (Stormers), Rudolf Snyman (Munster).
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Verblitz), Siyamthanda Kolisi (Sharks), Evan Roos (Stormers), Albertus Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).
Utility forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Heat).
Scrumhalves: Francois de Klerk (Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (Stormers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls).
Springbok fixtures 2023
Rugby Championship
Saturday, 8 July – v Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 15 July – v New Zealand (Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland)
Saturday, 29 July – v Argentina (Ellis Park, Johannesburg)
World Cup warm-up fixture
Saturday, 5 August – v Argentina (Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires)
Saturday, 19 August – v Wales (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
Friday, 25 August – v New Zealand (Twickenham, London)
World Cup pool fixtures
Sunday, 10 September – v Scotland (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)
Sunday, 17 September – v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
Saturday, 23 September – v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Sunday, 1 October – v Tonga (Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)
Weekend of 14/15 October – quarterfinals
Weekend of 21/22 October – semifinals
Saturday, 28 October – Final
