Walking wounded Boks breaking into a trot

12 August 2014 - 08:21 By Liam del Carme
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Jean de Villiers during the South African National rugby team training session at the Fourways High School on August 06, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jean de Villiers during the South African National rugby team training session at the Fourways High School on August 06, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

When the Springboks assembled a little over a week ago, they did so under a significant injury cloud that team doctor Craig Roberts confirmed yesterday is showing the faintest hint of a silver lining.

Jean de Villiers, Damian de Allende, Tendai Mtawarira, Frans Malherbe and Eben Etzebeth were all included in the squad for Saturday's Test against Argentina.

Naturally, there was concern that too many players had question marks over their fitness.

Matters were complicated further last week when Victor Matfield injured his knee and will miss this weekend.

The most pressing question that needed answering yesterday was whether captain De Villiers would be ready to take his place in midfield following his knee injury.

"We are really happy with Jean. He didn't do every training session last week. We brought him in slowly. He has progressed really nicely.

"He is in the final phase of rehab but we are happy with where he is," Roberts said.

The news is equally rosy for Mtawarira, who injured his neck in South Africa's Houdini act against Wales seven weeks ago.

"Last week he did all the scrums. Tendai didn't show symptoms, which is a really good sign. We are happy with his progress as well," Roberts said.

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