Rassie Erasmus issues latest Springboks injury update including Cheslin Kolbe and Canan Moodie
Springboks winger Cheslin Kolbe and an inset of head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Rassie Erasmus has issued an injury update as the Springboks continue their preparations for the Rugby Championship.
South Africa’s title defence kicks off with back-to-back matches against the Wallabies, the first of which is at Ellis Park before the two sides collide at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Ahead of the games against the Wallabies, Erasmus trimmed his squad to 37 players who met in Johannesburg ahead of a two-week conditioning camp.
Kolbe and Moodie
The Springboks head coach has confirmed that there are no major injury concerns in the current squad despite Canan Moodie and Cheslin Kolbe carrying niggles.
“Canan Moodie has got a bit of a hand issue, an infection, but it should be cleared up on Monday. He is already training with us again,” Erasmus confirmed.
“As for Cheslin, he had a bit of a knee issue, but he seems to be okay.
“So in the squad currently with us, there are no real big injury concerns. Hopefully, next Monday he will be training again.”
The other 35 players, plus the three Junior Boks who were invited to the camp, are all fit and firing the coach confirmed.
However, the news for Bulls prop Gerhard Steenekamp, who has yet to play for the Boks this year, was less positive.
“Long-term injuries that are not here in the squad, I can’t go deep into it, but Elrigh Louw is one, and Frans Malherbe is another,” Erasmus said.
“I think it’s still six before Gerhard Steenekamp is ready. He is still struggling and doing his rehab with the Bulls.”
Springboks Rugby Championship fixtures and referees
South Africa v Australia
Date: Saturday, August 16
Local kick-off: 17:10
GMT kick-off: 15:10
NZL kick-off: 3:10 (Sunday, 17 August)
AUS kick-off: 1:10 (Sunday, 17 August)
RSA kick-off: 17:10
ARG kick-off:12:10
Venue: Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (NZR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
South Africa v Australia
Date: Saturday, August 23
GMT kick-off: 15:10
NZL kick-off: 3:10 (Sunday, 24 August)
AUS kick-off: 1:10 (Sunday, 24 August)
RSA kick-off: 17:10
ARG kick-off: 12:10
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Richard Kelly (RA)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
New Zealand v South Africa
Date: Saturday, September 6
Local kick-off: 19:05
GMT kick-off: 7:05
NZL kick-off: 19:05
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 17:05
RSA kick-off: 9:05
ARG kick-off: 4:05
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
New Zealand v South Africa
Date: Saturday, September 13
Local kick-off: 19:05
GMT kick-off: 7:05
NZL kick-off: 19:05
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 17:05
RSA kick-off: 9:05
ARG kick-off: 4:05
Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (RA)
South Africa v Argentina
Date: Saturday, September 27
Local kick-off: 17:10
GMT kick-off: 15:10
NZL kick-off: 4:10 (Sunday, 28 September)
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 1:10 (Sunday, 28 September)
RSA kick-off: 17:10
ARG kick-off: 12:10
Venue: Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban
Referee: Angus Gardner (RA)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR), Angus Mabey (NZR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
FPRO: Damon Murphy (RA)
Argentina v South Africa
Date: Saturday, October 4
GMT kick-off: 13:00
NZL kick-off: 2:00 (Sunday, 5 October)
AUS (AEST) kick-off: 23:00
RSA kick-off: 15:00
ARG kick-off: 10:00
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
