Steyn and Smith to miss All Blacks test
Springbok fullback Frans Steyn will not be considered for Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth.
Steyn injured his hamstring against Australia last Saturday in Durban and will not be fit to play this weekend at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. He will remain with the squad to do his rehabilitation.
Furthermore, Bok captain John Smit sat out training on Monday morning with a cold.
Springbok conditioning coach Neels Liebel confirmed that the elbow injury Smit sustained is not serious. Both Smit and Bakkies Botha, who is also struggling with a cold, should be ready to play. The team for Saturday’s Test will be named on Tuesday.
Flank Juan Smith will be available to play in the Currie Cup for the Free State Cheetahs this weekend against the Pumas.
Smith, who has been undergoing rehabilitation on his injured Achilles, was released from the Bok squad on Monday and travelled to Bloemfontein where he will prepare with the Cheetahs.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said the team is looking forward to play in the new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“It will be our first Test in Port Elizabeth in a number of years and the first time we’ll face New Zealand here since 1970. It’s going to be a big occasion and one we’re looking forward to,” said De Villiers.
“We weren’t happy with defeat against Australia last weekend, but we did a lot of things right in the Test – small things we’ve really been working hard on – and that was good to see. This weekend we have to be even better in our execution.”
Steyn’s unavailability leaves the door open for either Gio Aplon or Pat Lambie to don the No.15 jersey against the All Blacks, although Morne Steyn, Ruan Pienaar and JP Pietersen could also be considered for the job.
Lambie’s call up to the squad call indicate that he is a strong contender for the job having made a name for himself at fullback for the Sharks during the Super14 last year.
Aplon must be the favourite to take over from Steyn, having replaced him during last weekend’s Test, although the Western Province star failed to impress and was very shakey under the high ball.
Pienaar could also be moved to fullback, having had a stint their in the past and considered by many coaches as capable of playing anywhere in the backline.
Morne Steyn played at fullback when the two side’s met in New Zealand, but he had what is probably his worst game in a Springbok jersey which should put that plan to bed.
Finally the option from left field could be to ask JP Pietersen or even Jaque Fourie to fill in at the back, where they have both played for their Super rugby franchises in the past.
