Steyn to miss Loftus clash?

The Springboks could be without inside centre Frans Steyn for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with Australia at Loftus Versfeld.

Steyn sustained an ankle injury five minutes into Monday morning’s training session and was seen walking on crutches later in the day.

The untimely setback could rob the under-fire Bok boss of one of the top performers in his struggling squad.

Steyn has been one of a select few to deliver consistent performances of a high quality and saved South Africa blushes with his charge-down try in Mendoza last month that saw the Springboks salvage a draw with Argentina.

Steyn’s possible unavailability could open the door for uncapped Lions utility back Jaco Taute to make his Springbok debut in the number 12 jersey, while Meyer will also have the option of reverting captain Jean de Villiers to inside centre, where he has played the majority of his 79 Tests.       

In addition to Steyn, team doctor Craig Roberts had a busy day attending to five other injury concerns in the camp.

"I thought after a week off we could have a hard training session with all 30 players,” Meyer said.

“There were a few attacking things we wanted to put in, but there are a few injuries, a few from the Currie Cup and one or two from this morning's training session.”

Roberts revealed that, “Coenie (Oosthuizen) has general stiffness which was expected after having not played for a while, Jacques Potgieter has a mild groin strain, which kept him out of training and Lwazi (Mvovo) has a tight hamstring.

“In terms of the guys who played overseas, two players are still struggling. Flip van der Merwe has a mild calf strain, so he didn't train and Johan Goosen has a bruised heel, so we've managed him too.”

After a winless three-match tour of Argentina and Australasia, Meyer said the team was happy to be back home and eager to return to winning ways.  

“There were three tough games away from home and we were the only team to play three away from home,” he said.

“But the team is much more relaxed and we had a great day, so hopefully we play good rugby on Saturday.”

Meyer said he felt the team showed improvement in every game on tour and could have trumped the All Blacks if their discipline and goal-kicking had not let them down.

“I have a good feeling about this team,” Meyer said.

“We went through the videos this morning and we were ahead in territory and possession and kicked seven kicks less than the All Blacks.

“So our last game was great, we just didn't win it…I am confident we will play well on Saturday.”

Meyer hinted that he would stick with flyhalf Morne Steyn despite his poor run of form.

“There has been a lot of criticism about him, but we are still working with a human being and if you think you are going to throw a guy out and he is going to come back stronger, it won't work,” he said.

“So it is great to have him in the group, especially since Johan Goosen is not 100 percent fit.

“I can already see that he is himself again being back at home.”