The Springboks have received some timely injury news on the eve of the 2024 Test season, with a key World Cup winner set to be available.
The Springboks will kick off the 2024 Test season against Wales on 22 June, and there have recently been some injury worries to take note.
Earlier this month a scan revealed that the two-time Bok world champion Damian Willemse will need surgery on a finger injury. The talented utility back could be out for four months, meaning he may only return to be part of the Springboks’ end-of-year tour.
There have also been two injury worries of note, with Sharks stars Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse – who also formed part of the 2023 World Cup-winning squad – having suffered troublesome injuries.
Am is struggling with a shoulder injury and a fractured rib, but the good news is that he will not be sidelined for too long.
“Lukhanyo is still injured and will be out for three to four weeks,” Sharks coach John Plumtree confirmed ahead of Saturday’s game against the Bulls.
It means Am will be back in time for the July Test series against Ireland, although he will face stiff competition from Jesse Kriel for the No 13 jersey.
Eben Etzebeth and Grant Williams were also unavailable for the Sharks’ final URC game, but Plumtree shed further light on those injuries.
“Grant Williams sustained a hamstring injury in the game against Gloucester. He has not recovered sufficiently… Eben has some back stiffness and with the travelling, it has not been great. He is just a little bit uncomfortable at the moment.”
However, Jaden Hendrikse has a serious shoulder injury that seems to sideline him for a couple of months.
THE SPRINGBOKS ARE SOON BACK IN ACTION
The Springboks will kick off their second in-person alignment camp in Cape Town on Wednesday – a month before their opening Test of the season against Wales in London on 22 June
Coach Rassie Erasmus stated: “With our first Test around the corner, it will be great to have everyone together and ensure that the coaches and players are 100% aligned in terms of what we want to achieve and how we plan to approach the season.
“We have a tough year ahead of us, with two Tests against Ireland—the world’s second-ranked team—and our first Test against Portugal in the Incoming Series—all taking place outside of the international calendar.
Next up is the Rugby Championship, which begins with back-to-back away Test matches against Australia. After that, there will be two Test matches against New Zealand in South Africa and two home and away matches against Argentina.
“The sooner we are in sync as a group, the better, as our Outgoing Tour will also function as a comprehensive test with matches against Scotland, England, and Wales scheduled.”
SA FIXTURES:
Saturday, 22 June: SA vs Wales (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 6 July: SA vs Ireland (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 13 July: SA vs Ireland (Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban)
Saturday, 20 July: SA vs Portugal (Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein)
Saturday, 10 August: Australia vs SA (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, 17 August: Australia vs SA (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Saturday, 31 August: SA vs New Zealand (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
Saturday, 7 September: SA v New Zealand (DHL Stadium, Cape Town)
Saturday, 21 September: Argentina v SA (Estadio Unico Madre Ciudades, Santiago)
Saturday, 28 September: SA v Argentina (Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit)
Sunday, 10 November: Scotland vs SA (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Saturday, 16 November: England vs SA (Twickenham, London)
Saturday, 23 November: Wales vs SA (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
