Injury concerns mount ahead of Boks' impending tour

INJURY UPDATE: The list of injured players is mounting ahead of the Springboks’ end-of-year tour, as another name was added to the list this week.

Ulster’s No.8 Juarno Augustus injured his arm in the victory over the Sharks at Kings Park last weekend and will be closely monitored this week building up to their United Rugby Championship fixture against the Lions at Ellis Park.

The powerful loose forward has not been included in the Springbok squad for the European tour, but is one of 10 players on standby.

The Springboks take on Japan, France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales in November.

Augustus only managed 40 minutes of Ulster’s victory over the Sharks at Kings Park last weekend, and was seen after the match with his arm iced and in a sling.

The 27-year-old has made an impressive start to life in Belfast after making the move from Northampton Saints.

The 119kg back-row was immense against the Bulls in Round Three, scoring a try in his first start for the club, and could count himself unlucky that he was not included in Erasmus’ main squad.

Ulster is on a three-match winning spree in the URC after getting out of the blocks in style this season.

Springbok lock RG Snyman has already emerged as another concern after the weekend’s action, having picked up a hip injury early in the second half of Munster’s mauling of Leinster.

And scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is on the mend after suffering a hamstring injury against Benetton a fortnight ago but should be on track to depart with the Boks this weekend.