The Springboks’ recent romp over Argentina with a 67-30 scoreline in Durban isn't all cheers and victory laps; it's left the squad looking like they’ve been through a few rounds with a heavyweight boxer, rather than a rugby match. The victory, sweet as it was, sending them to the pinnacle of the Rugby Championship above the All Blacks, comes with a few strings attached - or pulled hamstrings, to be more precise.
Post-match, Rassie Erasmus, the man steering the Springbok ship, laid out the damage report.
"Damian [Willemse] suffered a hamstring [injury], Cheslin [Kolbe] injured his shoulder and Ethan [Hooker] has an ankle niggle."
And that’s not the end of the casualty list. Thomas du Toit is also hobbling with an ankle issue, potentially prompting a call-up for Stormers’ scrum sage Neethling Fouché. Erasmus added,
"Vincent [Koch] will go with us on tour. We’ll see how Ox [Nche] is doing on Monday to see if he’s back in the mix and assess Thomas’ ankle."
The walking wounded Boks, alongside a fit-again Grant Williams and returning warriors Makazole Mapimpi and Handré Pollard, will jet off to London for the next round. The stakes? A potential Rugby Championship title clincher at Twickenham, depending on how the Aussies and Kiwis fare in their dust-up in Perth.
If the Boks can secure a win in London, even without the cherry of a bonus point, they could keep their noses ahead in the rankings thanks to their superior points difference. It’s all to play for, and while the Springboks might be a bit battered, they’re certainly not beaten as they line up their title defence.
The upcoming match isn’t just another game; it’s a test of resilience, strategy, and depth. With several key players on the mend, the team's depth and the strategic shuffling of players will be pivotal. As the Boks prepare to take the field in London, all eyes will be on how they manage their resources in pursuit of retaining their Rugby Championship crown.
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The Springboks’ recent romp over Argentina with a 67-30 scoreline in Durban isn't all cheers and victory laps; it's left the squad looking like they’ve been through a few rounds with a heavyweight boxer, rather than a rugby match. The victory, sweet as it was, sending them to the pinnacle of the Rugby Championship above the All Blacks, comes with a few strings attached - or pulled hamstrings, to be more precise.
Post-match, Rassie Erasmus, the man steering the Springbok ship, laid out the damage report.
"Damian [Willemse] suffered a hamstring [injury], Cheslin [Kolbe] injured his shoulder and Ethan [Hooker] has an ankle niggle."
And that’s not the end of the casualty list. Thomas du Toit is also hobbling with an ankle issue, potentially prompting a call-up for Stormers’ scrum sage Neethling Fouché. Erasmus added,"Vincent [Koch] will go with us on tour. We’ll see how Ox [Nche] is doing on Monday to see if he’s back in the mix and assess Thomas’ ankle."
The walking wounded Boks, alongside a fit-again Grant Williams and returning warriors Makazole Mapimpi and Handré Pollard, will jet off to London for the next round. The stakes? A potential Rugby Championship title clincher at Twickenham, depending on how the Aussies and Kiwis fare in their dust-up in Perth.
If the Boks can secure a win in London, even without the cherry of a bonus point, they could keep their noses ahead in the rankings thanks to their superior points difference. It’s all to play for, and while the Springboks might be a bit battered, they’re certainly not beaten as they line up their title defence.
The upcoming match isn’t just another game; it’s a test of resilience, strategy, and depth. With several key players on the mend, the team's depth and the strategic shuffling of players will be pivotal. As the Boks prepare to take the field in London, all eyes will be on how they manage their resources in pursuit of retaining their Rugby Championship crown.