Baby Boks call up hooker
In the Baby Boks' dramatic win over England on Tuesday evening, Jason Thomas, the side's combative hooker, sustained a facial injury which has, sadly, ended his tournament.
In a tackle, Thomas clashed heads with his captain., William Small-Smith, and had to leave the field. He spent the night in hospital and was operated on Wednesday to repair a fractured bone in his face, ruling him out for six weeks and thus out of the tournament.
Franco Marais has been called up in Thomas's place.
Marais, who went to school at Transvalia before moving down to the Sharks, was a part of the group, played in the warm-up matches against Argentina but then suffered an ankle injury. He is over the injury now and is expected to fit back into the squad easily.
Coach Dawie Theron said: “Franco just missed out on selection for our final group as he was recovering from an ankle injury, so I am very happy for him to get a chance to join the squad again and be a part of the tournament.
"We obviously feel for Jason and wish him a speedy recovery. He is one of the favourite players in our team environment and we will miss him.”
Marais joined the team on Wednesday, saying: “I picked up my injury against the Argentinians a couple of weeks ago and thought my dream of playing in the tournament was gone.
"I could hardly believe it when I received the call from coach Dawie to join up with them again. I feel for Jason, but hope to use this chance to the best of my abilities."
Meanwhile, flyhalf Tony Jantjies (sore knee) and the team's captain Wiaan Liebenberg (wrist strain), who were late withdrawals from Tuesday's match are being monitored.
“Our medical team is handling their progress with care. Wiaan will undergo another scan on Friday and we hope Tony will be good to go soonest," said Theron.
"We're not replacing them in the squad for now and will be guided by our medical team in this regard.”
