Springboks confirm NINE players out of Wales clash and Ireland opener as Rassie Erasmus reveals injury list

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed that nine players will be missing for their upcoming fixture with Wales and the first Test against Ireland.

Speaking to the media, Erasmus named the stars who would be unavailable due to injury and the list went on for a long time as South Africa count their wounded.

Those included in the Springboks‘ absentee list are international regulars Steven Kitshoff, Lood de Jager, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse and Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Nine injured players

Jean Kleyn is also ruled out for those two games while Jean-Luc du Preez, Jaden Hendrikse and Henco van Wyk were also confirmed out by the Bok head coach.

“Steven Kitshoff will be out, Jean Kleyn will be out, Lood de Jager will be out, JL du Preez will be out, Jaden, Henco, who we had in camp, Canan, Damian and Kurt-Lee. Those will be the guys who are not available,” said Erasmus as he went through his casualty list ahead of the Saturday, June 22 clash with Wales at Twickenham.

After naming those players, the South Africa head coach was asked by one journalist whether those absentees were just for the game against Warren Gatland’s charges.

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“First Ireland Test match also,” Erasmus confirmed.

The Springboks are also hamstrung by the fact the Bulls are still in contention for the United Rugby Championship title with their semi-final clash taking place on Saturday.

If Jake White’s men were to defeat Leinster at Loftus, they would play the final on the same day as the Wales game, which hands Erasmus an extra selection headache.

However, if they were to lose to the Irish province then the question was raised as to whether the Bulls’ Springboks would then be available for the showdown with Wales.

“In certain positions, yes, definitely,” he said. “We are hopefully going to announce our team internally on Sunday so guys can get settled before we fly out on Wednesday.

“In certain positions we could well have a few young guys next to each other so then some of the Bulls guys, who know how we want to play, (might be fast-tracked in).

“We’ve got a few injuries on the wings. Cheslin (Kolbe) is touch and go to be ready there but (Makazole) Mapimpi is fine. We might be thin there (in the back three) but we have got (Quan) Horn and (Aphelele) Fassi, but a guy like Willie le Roux might be someone who could just help settle down combinations.”

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