Springboks hit by growing injury crisis
Springbok injury troubles worsen as key veterans are ruled out; fresh talent expected to step up with the captain out for the Italy match.
Despite the Springboks’ depth of talent, they’ll be without several veteran players whose absence will undoubtedly be felt.
“He [Kolisi] had a stiff neck, which has cleared up, but now he’s got a bit of Achilles stiffness. It’s not serious – the scans are clear – but we’re just being careful. No player will play more than eight or nine matches this year, so we’d rather be safe,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.
Captain Siya Kolisi has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against Italy after suffering an Achilles injury. While there’s no confirmed timeline for his return, head coach Rassie Erasmus has assured fans that the medical team is conducting a routine check-up.
Meanwhile, fellow double World Cup winners Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane are likely not to feature in 2025, opening the door for Springboks’ next crop of talent, subsequently putting their 2027 World Cup chances in further jeopardy.
“Frans is unlikely to play this season again, Trevor definitely not,” the Springboks coach noted.
“Neethling is not a boy anymore, around 30 [32], which is a lekker age for a tighthead prop. Thomas du Toit is doing well with Bath. He is one of the top players there. Wilco is doing well.”
“We are not going to change our game. We want to retain that forward power. There will be new faces in the front row this year.”
Springboks lineup vs Italy:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (c), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Bench: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux.