In doubt: Adriaan Strauss
The Springboks are sweating over the availability of hooker Adriaan Strauss who is the only injury concern at this stage.
South Africa are in Perth preparing for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash against Australia at Paterson's Stadium.
Team doctor Craig Roberts, during his usual Monday injury update, said Strauss's knee is the only major concern at this stage.
"From our side the only injury concern is Adriaan Strauss, who's got a mild knee ligament sprain," said Roberts.
"We will assess him later in the week and will make a call on his availability depending on how he goes through training in the next couple of days, but apart from that I'm happy to report we have a fit squad and are ready to go."
Should Strauss be ruled out, he will be the third hooker South Africa have lost to injury with Bismarck du Plessis and Chiliboy Ralepelle also out
"We have a few hookers on standby (in Tiaan Liebenberg and Craig Burden), but we have a very good medical team and I'm positive we'll get Adriaan through," said Bok coach Heyneke Meyer.
"We have travelled with three hookers, so should be fine for the first game."
Comments
ManWarrior says...
As per Jake White, Luke Watson at hooker...? With Potgieter still there we might as well humour the crowds. Go Bokke!!!
Posted 21:12 04th September 2012
JayStarr says...
Before Schalk Brits, Tiaan Liebenberg deserves to be there. Anyone who disagrees did not watch Super Rugby this year. He was at least as good as Adriaan Strauss. I would pick Craig Burden after Liebenberg - he has done enough to convince me so far... he's a tasmanian devil with blistering speed. Shalk Brits then, because he's older now and plays overseas.
As I said before, we clearly do not have a hooker crises.
Posted 17:04 04th September 2012
zambokke says...
Kiwi Joe - great pun, made me laugh.
Posted 12:04 04th September 2012
APV1 says...
Brits doesn't struggle in the scrum, as far as I can tell. He's as good a hooker as most in the tight (it's not like they need any hooking skills, anyway!). So with a solid pack around him - which the Boks have - his ability around the park makes him the prime candidate for me.
In many ways, I'm glad the Bok management think differently!
Posted 12:02 04th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Can those that say Brits struggles in the tight name a game in recent years to evidence this?
Posted 08:43 04th September 2012
Ulrich says...
No use having a fourth loosie if you're gonna struggle in the scrums and in the tight phases.
Posted 08:13 04th September 2012
KiwiJoe says...
I,m not bitter but why don,t they use that hooker Suzi, she could cook the Wobblies their bush tucker at half time, wash it down with some of that Karate water......
Posted 05:13 04th September 2012
georgesmith says...
Even without a quality hooker, Springboks still favoured to win. Here's how to make it even easy. If you see a player like N.Sharpe panting in defence then run at him at any angel, slow down and change direction. This veteran is so bad that the Springbok player won't even be touched on his way to the try line. Tis easy for SA, just target N. Sharpe and see the fun. You will be rewarded. Lots of it.
Posted 05:10 04th September 2012
powerplay says...
Whats all the fuss about!!???
... Isn't this a good thing!!!??
To stay with one partner, than to go looking for 'hookers!'
Posted 03:27 04th September 2012
5Lock4ward says...
Laughing at those questioning Brits. He's like a 4th loose forward in the pack; certainly better than politically based guaranteed selection Chilliboy Ralapelle.
Posted 01:26 04th September 2012
missionary says...
Agree Ulrich. He's great around the park. ***** as a scrummager.
Posted 00:42 04th September 2012
TVaddict says...
Well the springboks have a problem in their attack, and Schalk Brits adds more in attack than most centres! He's also a great tackler, distributor, and is definitely up to the standard in his throwing and scrummaging. Can you imagine against a team that starts with Bismarck du Plessis running at you, then when your tired having Schalk Brits come on to the pitch to run rings around you? Now that's a scary thought!
Posted 23:45 03rd September 2012
ruggaluva says...
hell....we havent even played our second best hooker yet ! Strauss IMO is a damn good player but doesnt have the mongrel for an international hooker, interesting to see if he will play Burden though, he is definitely worth a look.
Posted 23:03 03rd September 2012
Lucasrg says...
Brit isa good option, but I would go for Burden who is having a good performance in the Curry Cup. very strong as a ball carrier, something that this SA scrum really need.
Posted 20:35 03rd September 2012
Ulrich says...
Don't understand the fuss around Schalk Brits. Never struck me as complete enough.
Posted 18:21 03rd September 2012
new_j4a says...
The only hooker crisis we have is idiots suggesting we bring back Jon Smit. Schalk Brits would be just fine thanks.....or anybody except "Handbrake" Smit
Posted 18:05 03rd September 2012
Rainman says...
From the mouth of Springbok Coach Heyneke...
"We have traveled with three hookers, so should be fine for the first game."
Yeah I'll bet.
Posted 17:25 03rd September 2012
APV1 says...
Does anyone know what Schalk Brits has done to be so out of favour? The "not picking players who ply their trade overseas" argument is obviously nonsense - thanks for pinching Flo, by the way! So what's he done to be so overlooked? If it weren't for the Smit debacle, BdP would have been 1st choice and SB 1/2 step behind. He'd walk into almost any club side in the world and many international sides.
Bizarre.
Posted 15:52 03rd September 2012
zambokke says...
Schalk Brits!!!
Posted 15:05 03rd September 2012
curates_egg says...
So long as they don't come looking for his cousin in Leinster. Richardt turns Irish this autumn.
Posted 14:55 03rd September 2012