Blue Bulls scrumhalf joins Baby Boks
Blue Bulls Under-19 scrumhalf Lohan Jacobs will join the South African Under-20 squad in Parana on Wednesday, after Freddie Muller was ruled out of the IRB Junior World Championship due to injury.
Muller sustained an acute ankle ligament injury during a contact training session in Parana.
The Baby Boks play Scotland later on Wednesday in their second Pool C game in Sante Fe (19.00 SA time).
“Freddie twisted his ankle during the contact session and damaged a ligament in his left ankle,” said SA Under-20 team doctor Arthur Williams.
“He was able to continue training that day but later his symptoms got worse. We treated him and monitored his progress, but his injury did not recover sufficiently.
“After my final assessments, we deemed it necessary to call up a replacement for Freddie.”
Jacobs has previously been involved in the SA Under-20 structures. He participated in the Baby Boks’ three-match tour of France in February earlier this year and was also part of SARU’s Under-18 High Performance squad in 2009.
The Blue Bulls Under-19 scrumhalf also represented his union during last year’s domestic Under-19 competition.
“Obviously we are disappointed to lose a player of the caliber of Freddie Muller who has been part of our build to the World Champs since December,” said SA Under-20 coach Eric Sauls.
“He toured with the SA Under-20s to France earlier this year and he also competed in our two international friendlies against Argentina.
“However we must also not forget that we are looking forward to play four more games within the next 13 days, so it’s going to be important that we maintain a fit group of 26 players for our remaining matches.”
