Springboks: Two major injury blows
The start of the Springboks' 2025 season is just around the corner, and on Thursday coach Rassie Erasmus held a media briefing to tackle a number of key questions.
Once again in the interests of transparency, Erasmus painted a clear picture of the injury landscape ahead of the season-opener against the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June.
Reporting on the injuries in the camp, Erasmus revealed that Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, Deon Fourie, Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom are all nursing long-term injuries.
That news was mostly known already, but it's the serious injury to Hanekom that was confirmed for the first time after he went for scans following last weekend's URC semi-final.
It was hoped that Hanekom could have a key role to play for the Springboks in the absence of Louw, but it seems that he will now miss the July internationals, as well as the Rugby Championship.
In the absence of Louw and Hanekom, Jasper Wiese will be the obvious option at No 8. And although he should be fit before the start of the Test season, it can't be forgotten that he is also short of game time after only just coming to the end of some injury rehabilitation of his own.
Another blow for the Springboks is the fact it was revealed that another candidate at eighthman, Juarno Augustus, has yet to be medically cleared by his club, and he has been unable to report for duty this week.
There could now be an opening for Evan Roos, who was recently called up to the squad, while Kwagga Smith and Siya Kolisi can also cover No 8, so there won't be any real cause for panic.
Meanwhile, Gerhard Steenekamp, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ben-Jason Dixon, Lukhanyo Am – as well as Augustus – have to be cleared medically before they will be available for selection.
Jasper Wiese, Grant Williams and Makazole Mapimpi, who are also carrying niggling injuries, however, are expected to return to action in the coming weeks.
The first week of the training camp will conclude on Friday, with the players reassembling in Johannesburg on Sunday for another week of preparation before departing to Cape Town for the Barbarians match.
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