Springboks: Only ONE fit flyhalf ahead of Rugby Championship!
This past weekend, the Springboks gathered into a crucial Rugby Championship training camp, with the national side set to head into three all-important Tests in July. ALSO READ: Springboks news: Kolisi set for early injury return! During a press conference on Wednesday, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus notably revealed that there was a concern at flyhalf […]
This past weekend, the Springboks gathered into a crucial Rugby Championship training camp, with the national side set to head into three all-important Tests in July.
ALSO READ: Springboks news: Kolisi set for early injury return!
During a press conference on Wednesday, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus notably revealed that there was a concern at flyhalf in the training squad following a delay in Handre Pollard’s recovery from a leg injury, while Damian Willemse took a knock to the knee.
“Handre has a calf (injury) again and it could take a longer for him to be back than we had hoped,” said Erasmus.
“He’ll definitely be fine for the World Cup, but we’ll have to monitor his progress to determine exactly when he will be able to play. This means that out of three flyhalves, Manie (Libbok) is the only fit one.”
Libbok made his Test debut as a substitute last November, but is now expected to start in the Springboks’ opening Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies in Pretoria. This will be followed by a Test against New Zealand in Auckland (15 July), before returning to South Africa for their closing match of the abbreviated version of the tournament against Argentina in Johannesburg (29 July).
ALSO READ | Springboks: How many times have they won the Rugby Championship title?
Erasmus added that Elton Jantjies was an option as flyhalf cover depending on the speed of Pollard and Willemse’s recovery.
“A guy like Elton is playing good rugby at the moment, and we’ll consider him,” said Erasmus. “For now, our team doctor will keep a close eye on the other flyhalves and their recovery.”
MUST READ | The FIVE Springbok backline stars who won’t help defend their title
SPRINGBOKS’ TRAINING SQUAD:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).
Hookers: Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).
Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster).
Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).
Utility Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).
Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).
READ | Rugby World Cup 1995: Where are they now – Hennie le Roux
2023 FIXTURES:
Rugby Championship:
Saturday, 8 July – Springboks vs Australia (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)
Saturday, 15 July – Springboks vs New Zealand (Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland)
Saturday, 29 July – Springboks vs Argentina (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)
RWC warm-up fixtures:
Saturday, 5 August – Springboks v Argentina (Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires)
Saturday, 19 August – Springboks vs Wales (Principality Stadium, Cardiff)
Friday, 25 August – Springboks vs New Zealand (Twickenham, London)
ALSO READ | Springboks pick one massive BOLTER in training squad
RWC fixtures:
Sunday, 10 September – Springboks v Scotland (Stade Marseille, Marseille)
Sunday, 17 September – Springboks v Romania (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux)
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Sunday, 1 October – Springboks v Tonga (Stade Marseille, Marseille)
Weekend of 14/15 October – Quarter-finals
Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final