Vermeulen out for third Test

Editor

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 09: Duane Vermeulen during the South African national rugby team training session at Cape Town Stadium on June 09, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Springbok number eight Duane Vermeulen was on Monday ruled out of the third Test against Ireland this Saturday because of an elbow injury. 

Vermeulen sustained the injury in the first half of the second Test against Ireland on Saturday in Johannesburg. He was replaced at halftime by Warren Whiteley.

“Duane went for x-rays on Monday, which revealed a grade two tear in the elbow. He will be out for between two to six weeks, depending on how the injury responds to treatment,” explained Dr Konrad von Hagen, the Springbok medical doctor.

The Bok team management confirmed that no replacement will be called up.

Bulls Prop Trevor Nyakane also went for scans on Monday, which showed that his sore ankle was normal except for some swelling and he will be assessed again on Tuesday.

Whiteley took a blow to the AC joint on Saturday and although he participated in Monday’s training drills, he did not take any contact. His scans also revealed no damage to the shoulder area.

Centre Damian de Allende sat out the afternoon session because of a stomach bug.