Springboks injury update: Prop in doubt for Wallabies Test

The Springboks are sweating over the availability of prop Ox Nche, who suffered an injury in training on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s opening Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Loftus.

ALSO READ: Rugby Championship kit reveal — Springboks

SPRINGBOKS SET BACK BY INJURY TO STAR

Earlier on Tuesday, Nche was selected in the Springboks’ starting lineup for the Test against Eddie Jones’ Wallabies, but Rassie Erasmus later confirmed that the prop had picked up a knock in training on the same day which might rule him out of contention.

“Ox picked up an injury on his pectoral muscle,” said Erasmus. “So there is a bit of doubt around him. We will find out later this afternoon.

Should Nche be ruled out, it could mean that Thomas du Toit is promoted from the bench to the starting lineup.

ALSO READ: Springboks — ‘Rugby Championship is a stepping-stone to Rugby World Cup’

Steven Kitshoff, originally among the 14 Springboks scheduled to travel to New Zealand on Tuesday, could in that case be named on the bench to face the Wallabies.

“As we said last week, we are booking flights for the Tuesday night and Wednesday night, depending on how the team prepares for Australia,” explained Erasmus.

“With Ox being a doubt, Kitsie will stay behind until we’ve got 100% clearance. If Ox is out with his pec muscle, then Kitsie will come into the team.”

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SA RUGBY ON OX

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber advised on Tuesday that prop Nche had suffered an injury to his chest at training on Tuesday and was in doubt for Saturday’s opening Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Nche was named in the starting line-up for the clash announced earlier on Tuesday, but the coaches announced that Steven Kitshoff would remain behind in South Africa rather than travelling to New Zealand on Tuesday night as injury cover pending the outcome of Nche’s medical scans.

A further announcement will be made on Wednesday.