On Sunday, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus trimmed the national squad to 45 players, with props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu amongst six players released from the initial 55-man squad due to injuries.
What will be of concern, however, is the fact that star players Lukhanyo Am (centre) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (utility forward) have also been released to their unions as a result of injuries.
It’s not known how serious the injuries are, but it’s clear that these two players won’t be ready for the start of the season when the Springboks play the Barbarians on 28 June.
Cameron Hanekom and Juarno Augustus (both No 8s) have also been ruled out of the July Tests against Italy and Georgia.
The majority of the squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon to continue their preparations for the season, while the Bulls players, who battled it out with Leinster in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final on Saturday, will join their teammates on Monday evening, and RG Snyman on Tuesday afternoon.
The Premiership final players, Handre Pollard and Thomas du Toit, meanwhile, will report for duty this Monday and next Monday (initially for three days) respectively, while newcomer Boan Venter, a former Toyota Cheetahs prop who now plays for Edinburgh, will join the squad on Sunday 29 June.
“We took stock of the injuries and determined in which positions we needed cover, as well as those in which we have sufficient cover,” Rassie Erasmus commented.
“There are a number of players out with long-term injuries, while others are set to return from injury in the next few weeks or months, so they will complete their rehabilitation at their clubs and franchises.
“In terms of the other players released, we feel we have good cover in those positions at this stage, but they are all on standby to join us at any time if we need to call on them.”
Full Springbok squad:
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche, Vincent Tshituka (all Sharks), Neethling Fouche, Salmaan Moerat, Evan Roos (all Stormers), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Wilco Louw, Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese, Ruan Nortje (all Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel (both Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Manie Libbok, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse (all Stormers), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie (all Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Lions).
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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/springboks/springboks-four-injured-players-released/
