Rassie Erasmus provides important Springbok injury update

The Springboks and All Blacks will kick off a four-Test series at Ellis Park this Saturday, with both teams contending with some injury issues.

In the New Zealand camp, prop Ollie Norris has become the fourth player to return home from South Africa after sustaining a cartilage injury in his knee.

Meanwhile, for the Springboks, Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that both captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are doubtful for the opening Test this Saturday.

“Siya and Ox, I wouldn’t say they’re still injured … I think it’s niggles,” Erasmus stated, as quoted by SARugbymag.co.za. “If they get through today it probably might be good for us. Apart from that, there’s nobody else.”

One player back for Springboks

In one bit of good news, Franco Mostert has been cleared to play after battling with an injury that has kept him out of recent Tests.

“Sous (Mostert) is really looking well, he’s looking good. Injuries, there are probably only two doubtful players (Kolisi and Nche),” Erasmus told reporters. 

Bok squad:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Carlu Sadie (Bordeaux Begles), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Fidelity Securedrive Lions).

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears).

Loose forwards: Paul de Villiers, Ben-Jason Dixon (both DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Siya Kolisi (DHL Stormers), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls), Deon Fourie (Stormers).

Scrumhalves: Herschel Jantjies (Bayonne), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside and utility backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars), Aphelele Fassi (Toshiba), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Fidelity Securedrive Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (DHL Stormers), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers).