Flip turns down the World Cup

 

Van der Merwe must have been seen as a certainty for the Boks due to his experience, as well as his versatility in a position that has been struck with injuries of late.

 

However, the coach announced to the media in Johannesburg that the Bulls lock would not be available for the World Cup, or any other international duty this year.

 

"Flip is not available for international rugby at the moment," Meyer told reporters.

 

"It is a big setback as I've always rated him and he is an enforcer. 

 

"You need an enforcer for international rugby and he can play at No.5 as well.

 

"He would be in this squad but unfortunately he isn't available."

 

There has been a growing concern over the lock position for Meyer with injuries, retirement and other players making themselves unavailible, hampering the coach.

 

Van der Merwe's contract expires with the Bulls at the end of 2015, having signed with Clermont in France.

 

Xander Janse van Rensburg, the High Performance Manager at the Blue Bulls Company, told rugby365:" Flip, when he renewed his contract in 2012, already told us he was heading abroad after 2015."

 

With the World Cup in England a little over four months away, the Springboks suddenly have problems in a position where they have enjoyed so much depth down the years.

 

The retirement of veteran Bakkies Botha, Andries Bekker's move to Japan two years ago and injuries to current campaigners has left Meyer sweating over his options in the second row.

 

"Eben [Etzebeth] is recovering from injury, Pieter-Steph [du Toit] is injured and Victor [Matfield] has been out with a knee [injury], so if there is one position I'm worried about, that is it," he said.

 

"There are one or two loose forwards that can play lock, but you need specialists there.

 

"Lodewyk [de Jager] is also injured, so if I had to pick a side today we'd be in trouble with locks."

 

Meyer admitted his other area of concern was at centre, with captain Jean de Villiers progressing well in his recovery from a major knee injury but still touch-and-go for the World Cup.

 

"Flyhalves we are doing fine and there enough No.9s, but the other position I'm worried about is centre. 

 

"We have had a lot of injuries in the midfield, while at fullback there are players coming through."