Springboks’ injury list increases after brutal weekend

This past week it was confirmed by Stormers director of rugby John Dobson that Cheslin Kolbe would miss the Springboks’ end-of-year tour as he continues his recovery from a broken jaw.

There is also an injury cloud hanging over Eben Etzebeth, while the likes of Frans Malherbe, Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman are all sidelined.

As Rassie Erasmus now considers his squad options for the end-of-year Tests, the Springbok coach would have been concerned to see hybrid player Andre Esterhuizen suffer what looked to be a serious ankle injury while in action for the Sharks on Friday, and he joins a growing injury list.

More injury worries for Springboks

On Saturday, the Stormers also picked up several injuries during a brutal battle against the Scarlets, with Deon Fourie and André-Hugo Venter picking up hamstring and elbow injuries respectively.

Fourie, in particular, was expected to tour with the Springboks as the Nations Championship concludes in November, but he is now set for a period out of action.

Meanwhile, Springbok flyhalf Handré Pollard left the field in the second half of the Bulls’ match with a hamstring injury as well.

“It’s been a while since we had so many casualties,” said Bulls coach Johan Ackermann.

Sentiments shared by Stormers boss

Speaking post-match, Dobson said the Stormers were also counting the costs of a hard-fought match.

“The mouth guards (that detect head knocks) were going like pinball. It was ping, ping!” he told the media. “I was reading through my contingency sheet. If you lose both hookers, there’s a plan, but I never thought about three.

“To lose three hookers takes away all our set-pieces. So it is a crisis.”