Tag Archives: springboks vs Scotland

Springboks call on Sharks rookie…

Posted by rugbywindow on

Sharks rookie Stephan Lewies has been called up to the Springbok team ahead of South Africa’s final June Test.RW Stamp

Lewies will provide lock cover when the Boks take on Scotland in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The Sharks’ youngster comes in for injured Bulls’ captain Flip van der Merwe who hyper-extended his knee in the dying minutes of the Nelspruit Test.
Van der Merwe is joined by Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira in sitting sideline for the upcoming Test against Scotland this weekend.
Mtawarira is suffering from cervical disc issue and will have to see a specialist in Durban.
Fellow Sharks prop, Lourens Adriaanse, also joins the squad to provide cover in the frontrow.
“Tendai has a bulging disc in his neck and he will consult with a specialist in Durban as soon as possible,” said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts.
“Flip hyper-extended his knee in a tackle and scans confirmed our clinical suspicions of a posterior cruciate injury. He will consult a knee specialist in Pretoria.”
Another injury concern is versatile forward Willem Alberts who is suffering from a concusion after failing a ‘ding-dong’ test in the Springboks’ 31-30 victory over Wales.
“We take concussion very seriously and have a set return-to-play protocol that Willem needs to progress through.
“A final call on his availability will be made later in the week,” explained Roberts.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said that Adriaanse and Lewies were the next players on the standby list.
“Lourens has been with us before and I’m sure he will slot back in easily,” said Meyer of Adriaanse, who made his Test debut last November against France in Paris.
“Stephan was part of our training squad in Durban at the end of last month.
“He arrived in Port Elizabeth earlier today and looked good at our afternoon training session.
“He has been very good in Super Rugby this year and deserves this opportunity.”

Etzebeth to return against the Scots

Posted by rugbywindow on

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth could make his long-awaited comeback from an ankle injury in the one-off Test against Scotland.Rugby Injury

Etzebeth will have to undergo approximately three more weeks of rehabilitation before he can be considered for selection to make his comeback after injuring his foot at the end of last season.

This means that he is likely to miss the two Tests against Wales, and could return to action against Scotland in Port Elizabeth on June 28.

“Eben’s situation is a major setback as he’s been one of our best players in the last two seasons,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

“We’re continually monitoring his injury, because he really wants to play for the Springboks next month. However, he is still young and has a highly promising career ahead and his welfare is the most important to us.”

Etzebeth was one of 10 players who took no or little part in the field sessions at the Springbok training camp in Durban, which concluded today.

“We evaluated Eben’s injury at the camp and he did not take part in any of the field sessions, as we are managing the process of his return to the field,” said Springbok team doctor, Craig Roberts.

“We’ve been in discussion with his franchise, his rehab specialist and the foot specialist who operated on him last year. We’re happy with his progress and will work closely with Western Province to ensure he gets back on the field without any risk of further aggravating the injury,” Roberts added.

The other players who missed training sessions at the camp, were Frans Malherbe, Schalk Burger, Willem Alberts, S’bura Sithole, Frans Steyn, Juan de Jongh, Johan Goosen, Bismarck du Plessis and Duane Vermeulen.

Malherbe is struggling with a significant concussion which he picked up in a Super Rugby match a few weeks ago. As he’s not met the criteria of returning safely to playing, he did not participate in any of the training sessions.

Burger suffered a knock to the neck in the Stormers’ last match, against the Cheetahs. He still experienced some stiffness in the neck and was withdrawn from training as precautionary measure.

Alberts and Sithole both picked up grade one hamstring strains while playing for the Sharks against the Blues last weekend. These injuries were treated and managed at the training camp.

Steyn has been suffering from a chronic knee dysfunction which has been managed by the Sharks and upon a request from his franchise, the load on his knee was limited by keeping him out of training.

De Jongh did not train on Monday as he suffered from a bout of flu, Goosen had some stiffness in his neck on Tuesday, while the workload of Du Plessis and Vermeulen were managed during the training camp.

“Player welfare is incredibly important to us,” said Meyer.

“We’ve been working closely with the franchises and have taken the decision not to take any risks with players carrying injuries at this camp.

“Our medical team worked very hard at the camp, performing medical assessments on all the players and ensuring they get the best possible treatment on behalf of the franchises, as four of them are still playing  Super Rugby this weekend.

“A final decision on the involvement of all the injured players will be taken later this week, before we announce the final squad for the Castle Lager Incoming Series on Saturday.”

Twelve players who were involved with the Springboks last year, are already out of contention for the June series. They are Springbok captain Jean de Villiers (knee), Siyabonga Ntubeni (foot), Chiliboy Ralepelle (knee), Frik Kirsten (neck), Pieter-Steph du Toit (knee), Franco van der Merwe (ankle), Arno Botha (knee), Pierre Spies (bicep), Louis Schreuder (hand), Pat Lambie (bicep), Gio Aplon (elbow) and Jaque Fourie (ankle).

Scrumhalf crisis for Boks brings Stormers second string in

Posted by rugbywindow on

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has called up Stormers second (and sometimes third) choice scrumhalf to Rugby Injuryreplace the injured Francois Hougaard ahead of their Quadrangular match with Scotland.

Schreuder is the second no.9 replacement to enter the Bok camp this week with the Cheetahs Piet van Zyl replacing injured Bull Jano Vermaak.

Hougaard will undergo scans for a knee injury this week but is not expected to need surgery.  He will be withdrawn from the squad as a precautionary measure.

“At this stage Francois doesn’t require surgery but will be re-evaluated in two weeks’ time to see if the injury has settled sufficiently for him to resume playing,” said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said: “Losing two No.9s in such a short space of time is obviously a setback, but I’ve always rated Piet van Zyl and Louis Schreuder as two of the best young scrumhalves in South Africa.

“Piet’s attitude has been fantastic since he joined us on Sunday and he’s worked hard on the training field and off it, making sure he gets to know and understand our plays as quickly as possible. He’s been playing great rugby for the Cheetahs and I have a lot of confidence in him.

“Although Louis has not officially been part of our set-up yet, he has helped out at two of our training camps in Cape Town before, so coming into the squad will not be all new to him,” said Meyer.

In other news, Francois Louw has been released from the squad in preparation for his wedding day.

MM