REPORT: Big injury concern for Boks
Springboks could be without another 2019 World Cup-winning star when they face England on Saturday at Twickenham.
The Boks have already been forced to change the team that recorded a win over Italy last Saturday.
Vincent Koch, Jasper Wiese, Cobus Reinach, Cheslin Kolbe and Andre Esterhuizen all returned to their French and English clubs – as Saturday’s clash against England falls out of the international Test window.
To make things more tricky for the Boks, Damian De Allende sustained a possible injury during Monday’s training session.
Various South African media outlets reported that De Allende returned to the team hotel by himself in clear discomfort, while his teammates continued with the training session.
#ICYMI: @Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber unpacks the values that ‘rookie’ flyhalf Manie Libbok brings to the team. @king365ed
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The Springboks will be hoping this was just a precautionary measure considering they have a policy that states players must be available for Monday training in order to be available for selection at the weekend.
De Allende played outside centre against Italy and might have been set to get another run in the No.13 jersey.
However, with De Allende’s possible unavailability Jessie Kriel could don the No.13, while Damian Willemse could shift to inside centre, with Manie Libbok likely to get his first Test start at flyhalf.
The combination of Willemse and Libbok was very successful for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship and resulted in Libbok being catapulted into the Bok picture.
Jacques Nienaber is set to name the team to face England on Tuesday.
*Additional reporting the South African.
