Springboks boosted by returning stars, Rassie Erasmus issues Malcolm Marx update
Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx and head coach Rassie Erasmus.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus issued an injury update on key squad members ahead of the Rugby Championship.
The Bok boss is set to name his squad on Tuesday following the conclusion of South Africa’s July internationals which saw the Springboks beat Wales, drawing the series with Ireland before defeating Portugal.
The Boks were with the likes of Lood de Jager, Steven Kitshoff and Damian Willemse who were all sidelined through injury with Jasper Wiese missing the matches through suspension.
Springboks’ injury update
In a mighty Test match against Ireland, Springboks stars Franco Mostert, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Malcolm Marx all sustained injuries that put their involvement in the Rugby Championship in doubt.
Mostert played two minutes of the match after breaking his leg and is set to miss at least the opening two Test matches against Australia because of the injury.
However, Erasmus was able to provide more positive injury news following the 64-21 win over Os Lobos in Bloemfontein.
“There is squad of 42 that is in and out at the moment but Jasper Wiese must still come back from suspension, and Damian Willemse must still come back too,” Erasmus explained with the latter only expected to return after the Rugby Championship.
“But Pieter-Steph du Toit and Steven Kitshoff have been cleared now and it looks like Malcolm Marx can only play the second Australia game.”
While De Jager and Mostert will be out of action for some time, the news that Du Toit and Kitshoff are fit to return against the Wallabies will be a huge boost. Kitshoff sustained a knee injury that ended his spell at Ulster but the loosehead prop has since returned to training with the Western Province Currie Cup team.
Erasmus is also set to be without centre Andre Esterhuizen following his second-minute red card against Portugal with the 2023 World Cup winner now set for a spell on the sidelines through suspension.
Rookies impress
“We will have to juggle a few things and will give an injured player a little bit of game time when the opportunity is right,” Erasmus added while also praising the performances of the debutants against Portugal.
“The debutants were great, seven of them and four of them scored tries, it makes it interesting for us to now pick a squad.
“I promised the whole squad that everybody would get a cap today, that was the plan and to give everyone at least 20 minutes and it was great the way they rewarded us by giving them that chance is unbelievable. I’m very proud.”
South Africa kick off their Rugby Championship campaign with back-to-back Test matches against the Wallabies in Australia before returning home for two games against the All Blacks.
Erasmus’ side then face off against Los Pumas in Argentina, concluding their campaign back on home soil.
READ MORE: Springboks: World Cup winner’s career in tatters ahead of doping ban
