Springboks: SIX players OUT! Update on Rugby World Cup chances!

The Springboks walking wounded list currently sits at SIX. There is good news and bad news as we bring you the latest update on their Rugby World Cup chances.

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Siya Kolisi, Handre Pollard, Frans Steyn, Jaden Hendrikse, Salmaan Moerat and Ox Nche are all out injured.

Thankfully, Eben Etzebeth has returned having finally recovered, according to recent reports on The South African. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the six Springboks ruled out of action. We bring you the latest on their Rugby World Cup hopes.

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GOOD NEWS FOR KOLISI, POLLARD AND OX

Springboks fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Both Kolisi and Pollard are set to return in time for the Rugby World Cup in France.

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“At this stage he’s in a similar position to Siya (Kolisi) who could be available for the World Cup warm-up games,” Rassie Erasmus confirmed in a press conference just before the start of the Rugby Championship.

Meaning, both players are likely to return in August during the Springboks Rugby World Cup warm-up fixtures.

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Nche is in the same boat with the skillful prop ruled out of the Rugby Championship and set to return just before their South Africa’s title defence. SA Rugby confirmed that he will be out for ‘several weeks‘. There was further good news on the injury front with Hendrikse receiving positive test results.

“Eben and Jaden’s test results are looking good,” he added. Hendrikse is close to full fitness.

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However, he has a personal issue to resolve before returning.

“He missed the training session today and there’s a personal issue that he needs to address,” Springboks assistant coach Deon Davids told SA Rugby.

STEYN AND MOERAT UNLIKELY TO MAKE RUGBY WORLD CUP

The bad news for Bok fans is that Steyn and Moerat are both unlikely to recover in time for their title defence in France.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Theron confirmed that Steyn is unlikely to feature in the Rugby World Cup.

“It will be difficult, and I can’t see it happening, but miracles do happen,” he (Frans Steyn) himself isn’t confident that he’ll be able to play very soon again. He can’t even jog at the moment, so it’s a long way to get back on the field and play at a standard that’s good enough to go to the World Cup. He injured his knee earlier in the season and had to undergo an operation,”

“He’s still in the rehabilitation process, so he’s going to be out for another few months, so he won’t be able to play” he added.

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While Moerat injured his cruciate ligament in December, ruling him out of the Rugby Championship. So, he is in a race against time for the Rugby World Cup. However, even if he is fit he is unlikely to be selected duo to lack of Test experience.

Rassie Erasmus said that even if Moerat recovers in time for the World Cup, the promising lock could miss out due to a lack of Test experience, the report read on SARugbyMag.

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