The All Blacks have suffered another injury blow to their pack after confirming the loss of a key front-rower for their Tests against the Springboks in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
New Zealand said on Friday that loosehead prop Ethan de Groot will miss the tour of South Africa due to a neck injury.
Squad update as we head to South Africa
pic.twitter.com/jrWpwaLkax
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 23, 2024
De Groot was named in the original 36-man squad that will face the Springboks in two key Rugby Championship Tests at Ellis Park and Cape Town Stadium.
The 26-year-old, who started against the Boks at the 2023 World Cup final in Paris, will be replaced by 32-year-old Crusader George Bower.
The absence of De Groot is another blow to the All Blacks pack, who are without injured lock Patrick Tuipulotu and have also bid farewell to Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock since the World Cup final.
Photo: EPA/Neil Hall
The post ‘Groot’ blow for All Blacks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
