Bok flyer an injury concern
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is confident 'most' of his players will be fit for the opening Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.
However, one of his key players – veteran Sharks flyer JP Pietersen – is struggling with a hand injury.
Although Meyer was not prepared to risk a prognoses, he confirmed that Pietersen went for scans in New Zealand after suffering the injury in the Sharks' 6-37 loss to the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Final on Saturday.
South Africa face Argentina at Newlands on Saturday August 18, in the opening round of the inaugural Rugby Championship, and at this stage there must be some doubt about Pietersen's availability.
"We had a medical report on the Sharks players and most of the players are fit to go," Meyer said on Saturday.
"We are a little bit worried about JP Pietersen, but we'll assess the situation once the Sharks are back.
"They did scans in New Zealand [on the hand injury].
"Most of the [Sharks] players will be fit. Sometimes it takes a day or two to see how badly injured the players are."
The Sharks arrive back in South Africa on Sunday and their players will join up with the –
Another player under an injury cloud is the Stormers' star lock Eben Etzebeth, one of the finds of the season.
He is reportedly suffering with a hip injury sustained in the Stormers' semifinal loss to the Sharks last week.
"There has been great communication between the [Stormers] franchise and the [Bok] medical team and we are aware of that," Meyer said, when asked about Etzebeth.
"The latest news is that Eben [Etzebeth] should be fine, but we don't want to take any chances.
"He is involved with the squad, we will assess him and take him to the best specialist.
"However, we have been in contact with the Stormers medical team and they are positive that he will be able to play."
The Bok mentor said it has been a long season of tough rugby, so there are injured players.
"That is why this squad is just for the Argentinian leg [of the Rugby Championship]," he said of the 30-man squad named in Worcester on Saturday.
"There are some great players returning from injury and it is important for me that the best players play and that players prove they want to play for South Africa.
"I only select the best and fittest players."
By Jan de Koning, in Worcester
