Rassie Erasmus, the mastermind behind the Springboks' tactics, has just rolled out the latest on the team's injury situation as they gear up to defend their title in the upcoming Rugby Championship. South Africa is set to face off against the Wallabies in consecutive showdowns, starting at Johannesburg's Emirates Airline Park and wrapping up at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Erasmus recently streamlined his squad to 37 players, all of whom have congregated in Johannesburg for a two-week intensive conditioning camp. Among these, Cheslin Kolbe and Canan Moodie have been under the injury spotlight, though concerns seem minimal.
"Canan Moodie has got a bit of a hand issue, an infection, but it should be cleared up on Monday. He is already training with us again,"
Erasmus disclosed, alleviating some worries about the team's readiness. He added,"As for Cheslin, he had a bit of a knee issue, but he seems to be okay. So in the squad currently with us, there are no real big injury concerns. Hopefully, next Monday he will be training again."
While the rest of the team appears to be in robust health, including three Junior Boks who've been called up to the senior camp, not all news was positive. Bulls prop Gerhard Steenekamp is still on the mend and hasn't featured for the Boks this year. "Long-term injuries that are not here in the squad, I can’t go deep into it, but Elrigh Louw is one, and Frans Malherbe is another," mentioned Erasmus, hinting at challenges faced by the players sidelined with more serious conditions.
The Springboks are bracing for a thrilling set of matches, with their first game against Australia scheduled for August 16. The fixture list includes a mix of venues and international referees, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested championship. As the Springboks fine-tune their preparations, the blend of seasoned players and emerging talent under Erasmus's guidance might just be the formula to keep their championship title on home soil.