Springboks face a potential lock crisis ahead of Wales and Ireland Tests
The injuries are racking up for the Springboks.
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus could be dealing with somewhat of a lock crisis ahead of the upcoming internationals against Wales, Ireland and Portugal.
Erasmus is not short on options in the second-row but looks set to be without at least one of his 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning locks, with another in doubt.
Injuries at lock
After switching international allegiance back to South Africa, Jean Kleyn forced his way into the Springboks squad last year and featured for the side throughout the World Cup, coming off the bench in the final against New Zealand.
However, Kleyn looks set to miss the upcoming internationals against Ireland this July as he continues to recover from an eye and knee injury that cut his season with Munster short.
The tighthead lock is unlikely to return in time for the clash against the team he represented at the 2019 World Cup, according to a report by South African newspaper Rapport, and he is not the only lock who could be absent for the upcoming internationals.
Lood de Jager, who missed the World Cup last year due to a heart condition, sustained an injury in the Wild Knights’ Japan Rugby League One final defeat to Toshiba Brave Lupus.
The experienced second-rower won the World Cup with the Boks in 2019 and has been a key member of the squad since his debut back in 2014, racking up 66 Test caps.
If fit, De Jager is likely to be one of the front runners – also Franco Mostert – to start alongside Eben Etzebeth in the first Test match of the year against Wales at Twickenham Stadium, with the Japanese clubs allowing the South Africans to feature in the match outside of the international window.
According to the report, the results of his scans are not yet known, but Erasmus will be eager to have the abrasive lock in his playing squad.
Etzebeth missed the Sharks’ final URC match of the season, with the Durban-based franchise citing ‘recovery and niggles’ as the reasoning for three of their Springboks missing the game, which won’t be much of a concern for Erasmus.
However, Leinster lock Jason Jenkins has added to the growing injury list.
The one-cap Springbok linked up with the Test squad in 2022 but failed to add to his cap tally after his debut against Wales back in 2018.
Jenkins is set to be sidelined for about 12 weeks after confirming that he will not go under the knife and “should be ready for the start of pre-season.”
While he has not been a regular squad member for the Springboks, he may well have been in the selection frame for the squad, offering a similar build and game to that of Kleyn.
Possible Snyman ban?
Finally, Erasmus will be keeping a close eye on a potential ban for double World Cup-winning lock RG Snyman after his tackle in the opening stages of Munster’s 29-24 victory over Ulster.
The lock looked to have tucked his arm with his shoulder colliding directly with the head of Will Addison. Snyman escaped sanction during the match for the tackle but could be cited and face a disciplinary panel in the coming days.
A likely two/three-match ban could see him miss the rest of Munster’s season while anything longer will impact the Springboks.
As mentioned above, Erasmus has several top talents able to fill the voids with Ruan Nortje a consistent performer for the Bulls while Ruben van Heerden has enjoyed a stunning season for the Stormers. Salmaan Moerat is likely to be in the mix, too, as is the versatile Ben-Jason Dixon.
Sharks youngster Corne Rahl is also highly rated, although it could be too soon for the young enforcer, while Ruan Vermaak has also impressed for the Bulls.
