The South African national rugby team, the Springboks, are facing a critical moment as they prepare for the Rugby Championship training camp. With three significant Tests scheduled for July, the team is gearing up for a challenging competition. However, the Springboks face a significant concern at the flyhalf position due to injuries to Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse.
Flyhalf Injuries Plague Springboks
Rassie Erasmus, the director of rugby, held a press conference to address the team’s injuries. He revealed that Pollard’s recovery from a leg injury had been delayed, while Willemse has suffered a knee injury. Although Erasmus expressed confidence in Pollard’s recovery for the World Cup, he acknowledged the need to monitor his progress. Currently, Manie Libbok is the only fit flyhalf in the training squad.
Libbok made his Test debut last November as a substitute, and he is expected to start in the Springboks’ opening Rugby Championship match against the Wallabies in Pretoria. This match will be followed by a Test against New Zealand in Auckland on July 15, and the final match of the abbreviated tournament will be against Argentina in Johannesburg on July 29.
Potential Options for Flyhalf Cover
Erasmus mentioned that Elton Jantjies could be considered as an option for flyhalf cover, depending on Pollard and Willemse’s recovery. He praised Jantjies’s recent performance, stating that the team doctor would closely monitor the recovery of the other flyhalves.
Talented Training Squad
The Springboks’ training squad is filled with talented players across various positions. Among the props are Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, and Trevor Nyakane. The hookers in the squad are Joseph Dweba, Malcolm Marx, and Bongi Mbonambi, while the locks consist of Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Marvin Orie, and RG Snyman. The loose forwards include Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Evan Roos, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, and Jasper Wiese. Utility forwards are Jean-Luc du Preez, Deon Fourie, and Franco Mostert.
In addition to Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Herschel Jantjies, Cobus Reinach, and Grant Williams, the scrumhalves are Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard, and Damian Willemse. The centers comprise Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, and Jesse Kriel, while the outside backs are Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, and Canan Moodie.
Upcoming Fixtures
The Springboks’ fixtures for the 2023 Rugby Championship include matches against Australia on July 8, New Zealand on July 15, and Argentina on July 29. They will also play warm-up fixtures against Argentina on August 5, Wales on August 19, and New Zealand on August 25. Their Rugby World Cup matches will be against Scotland on September 10, Romania on September 17, Ireland on September 23, and Tonga on October 1.
Despite the injuries to key players, the Springboks are determined to make a strong showing in the upcoming Rugby Championship and World Cup. With a talented training squad and a strategic approach to managing their resources, the team is poised to demonstrate their prowess on the global stage.
