Springboks Rugby

Springboks injury crisis Six players sidelined in one position

The Springboks are facing another series of setbacks in a position where they are already missing other World Cup winners.

As the Springboks build towards this Saturday’s highly-anticipated clash against the All Blacks, they have been hit by a lock injury crisis.

Prior to the start of the Rugby Championship, World Cup trio Jean Kleyn, Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager were already sidelined with serious injuries.

At the worst possible time, fellow locks RG Snyman (foot) and Salmaan Moerat (concussion) have been ruled out of this Saturday’s Test, while Eben Etzebeth is also a doubt due to injury.

This leaves inexperienced Ruan Nortje and Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg as the only two fit members of the squad.

Pieter-Steph du Toit is now likely to fill in at No 5, while Ben-Jason Dixon could be considered at No 4.

“Salmaan went off with an HIA, so unfortunately he won’t be available for selection,” Davids said at a press conference, as quoted by SuperSport.com.

“Unfortunately we have an injury list when it comes to our locks. We know that guys like Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Jean Kleyn are out. At this point in time RG Snyman is also unavailable due to a leg injury and I can’t go into detail but it looks like he will be out for a couple of weeks.

“At this point in time Eben Etzebeth is also a doubt with a bit of a niggle. It is also something we will look at in terms of his availability. Lucky we have some good depth, guys who have played in those positions like Pieter-Steph and Ruan Nortje, and Nicolaas who we brought in. We also have Ben-Jason who can play there.

“It is always tough when you lose players with experience but it is also a great opportunity for those players to see the quality of what the next guy can bring to the squad.”

Hendrik Cronjé
@hendrikcronje71

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According to Bok assistant coach Deon Davids, RG Snyman (foot) and Salmaan Moerat (concussion) are out of Saturday’s test. Eben Etzebeth is also struggling with an injury.

Springboks squad for the Rugby Championship Tests against the All Blacks:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels (both Bulls).
Hookers
: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier).
Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Manie Libbok (both Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls).

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Andrew Brace will referee the Springboks’ first Test against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday, 31 August.

Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00.

Brace will be assisted by England’s Matthew Carley and Australia’s Jordan Way, while Ireland’s Brian MacNeice will be on TMO duty.

South Africa have a decent record when being officiated by Brace having won three of the four Tests the 36-year-old has taken charge of.

Date Opponent Result Venue
14 August 2021 Argentina Won 32-12 Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
20 November 2021 England Lost 27-26 Twickenham, London
29 July 2023 Argentina Won 22-21 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
19 Aug 2023 Wales Won 52-16 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIALS

Australia v South Africa
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday, 10 August
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Australia v South Africa
Optus Stadium, Perth
Saturday, 17 August
Referee: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
South Africa v New Zealand
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Saturday, 31 August
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
South Africa v New Zealand
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Saturday, 7 September
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
Argentina v South Africa
Estadio Unico Madre de Cludades, Santiago del Estero
Saturday, 21 September
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Matt Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
South Africa v Argentina
Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela
Saturday, 28 September
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZR)

WHO WILL WIN SATURDAY’S TEST?

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