Coetzee may miss cut

SA Rugby recently announced that overseas-based players with fewer than 30 Test caps will not be eligible for the Boks beyond July1, the day the policy kicks in.

Openside flank Marcell Coetzee, playing for Ulster in Ireland, could reach the threshold during the three-Test June series against France.

Coetzee has 28 caps, so two appearances against the French would ensure that coach Allister Coetzee has a world-class openside to call on at any time, especially as it's a position in which South Africa are struggling.

But over the weekend, and almost predictably, Coetzee suffered a knee injury playing for Ulster in a Pro 12 match against Italian side Zebre.

There has been no confirmation of the severity of the injury, but one report suggested the flanker expected to be out for up to nine months.

Coetzee is contracted to the Irish provincial side for another two years after this season, making him ineligible for the Springboks unless he breaks his contract.

That's also assuming Coetzee makes a full recovery after missing most of last year with a similar injury.

"I think it's the other one [knee from previous injury]," Ulster boss Les Kiss said.

"I went to see him and I just shook his hand. I couldn't chat in detail. Hopefully, touch wood, it's all good.

"He was a bit down, but he was happy the boys won. That was the big emotion, but we'll just have to see," said Kiss.