Cheslin Kolbe, the dynamic winger, was noticeably absent from the Boks' 23-man squad for the upcoming clash following an injury he sustained during their 33-16 loss at Ellis Park. Initially thought to be a minor issue, the situation has since escalated.
"With Cheslin, it was more than just cramps, so he’s an amber at this stage,"
Rassie Erasmus, the Boks' coach, elaborated on Kolbe’s condition, noting complications beyond the initial diagnosis. "It’s not even the hamstring anymore now, it’s a bit of the ankle as well," he revealed, casting doubt on the player's immediate return.
Despite the grim assessment, Erasmus hasn't dismissed the possibility of Kolbe making a last-minute recovery in time for Saturday's game. However, he remains cautiously pessimistic about a change in the lineup.
"It might be a late change with Cheslin. If he really recovers well, we might make a change there, but at this stage I don’t think it will be,"
The injury woes don't stop with Kolbe. The Boks are also without Ben-Jason Dixon, Grant Williams, and Canan Moodie, all sidelined due to various ailments. Erasmus shared, "Unfortunately Canan pulled a hamstring and Grant picked up an ankle injury [in the first Test]. Ben-Jason has some concussion symptoms that he picked up last week."
These setbacks come at a crucial time as the team prepares to face their rivals in what promises to be a fiercely contested series. The absence of these key players could significantly impact the team's strategy and performance.
The Springboks and their coaching staff will likely have to make strategic adjustments to compensate for the loss of these players, as they aim to bounce back from their previous defeat and level the series at the upcoming match in Cape Town.
The team and supporters alike will be eagerly watching the situation, hoping for positive updates as match day approaches.
