The Springboks could be without Faf de Klerk for the rest of the year, but Rassie Erasmus will be able to recall a quartet of World Cup winners for the upcoming duel with the All Blacks.
De Klerk missed the opening Rugby Championship Tests in Australia, where the Springboks started their campaign with back-to-back bonus point wins in Brisbane and Perth.
According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, the experienced scrumhalf suffered a thigh injury in the second Test of the series against Ireland in Durban and will also miss the home clashes with the All Blacks in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
There is a chance that the injury will keep De Klerk sidelined for the rest of the year, in a significant blow to the Boks.
De Klerk is one of four Springboks who will miss the matches against New Zealand, along with lock Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert and utility back Damian Willemse.
De Jager recently revealed that a shoulder muscle tear will keep him out until at least December, while Willemse is around a month away from returning to training after surgery on his finger.
On the plus side, Erasmus could recall a group of four World Cup-winning Springboks to tackle the All Blacks.
Jaden Hendrikse, Canan Moodie and Steven Kitshoff were all involved in the latest round of the Currie Cup, while Jasper Wiese and Andre Esterhuizen are available for selection after serving out their respective bans.
Hendrikse’s potential return will offset the loss of De Klerk, as the 24-year-old appears to be finding his form again after four months out with a shoulder injury.
Photo: @Springboks/Twitter
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
