Springbok injuries starting to stack, but Rassie still has exciting options

Springbok strongman Frans Malherbe is unlikely to add to his 76 Tests this season.

Bok coach Rassie Erasmus said the injured Stormers tighthead prop is unlikely to feature, as is fellow frontranker Trevor Nyakane.

In fact, the Boks may have a disconcerting number of front-row absentees at the start of their winter Incoming Series season, with loosehead props Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu also counting among the wounded. It leaves them a little thin in that department, on the back of veteran Steven Kitshoff's retirement due to a neck injury.

Ox Nché and Jan-Hendrik Wessels provide the Bok coach options at loosehead but his tighthead resources are also wearing thin. Fortunately for the Springboks, the Bulls' Wilco Louw has been one of the United Rugby Championship's (URC) standout tightheads, though he is unlikely to be considered for the Boks' warm-up clash against the Barbarians in Cape Town on the 28th of this month.

The Bulls' participation in this weekend's URC final makes their players unlikely selections as they would only be able to train once with the Boks before the clash against the Baabaas.

The loss of Malherbe is huge. He has anchored the Bok scrum across two successful Rugby World Cup campaigns, a series win over the British and Irish Lions, as well as two Rugby Championship titles, among others. They have built much of their burgeoning reputation in the scrum on his shoulders.

Malherbe has represented the Springboks every year since making his debut against Wales in Cardiff in 2013 and his absence will be hard to digest.

Erasmus admitted a high rate of attrition in certain positions is inevitable.

“Some players will either retire or fall off the pace. Without a doubt some of the other guys will be playing,” he said.

The coach named the contenders. “Neethling [Fouché] is not young but he is a lekker age for a prop,” said the coach about the 32-year old. “We've been working hard with Asenathi [Ntlabakanye] to get him ready, while Thomas du Toit has done well at his club.

“Wilco is doing really well. Without doubt, other guys will be playing.” 

Injuries elsewhere have also given Erasmus reason to pause. The Bulls' in-form No 8 Cameron Hanekom is another long-term casualty, while another No 8, Juarno Augustus, is unlikely to feature against the Barbarians. He is transferring from Northampton Saints to Ulster, with responsibility falling on the latter to provide medical clearance. Erasmus said Augustus has a back injury.

Fortunately for the coach, it would appear his first-choice No 8, Jasper Wiese, is on track to be restored to fitness before the Barbarians clash.

The late addition of Evan Roos helps plug the gap in the reserve strength, though the coach was keen to point out he has other options.

Erasmus also confirmed scrumhalf Grant Williams, loose forward Ben-Jason Dixon, wing Makazole Mapimpi and centre Lukhanyo Am are among the injured.

The Bok coaches also need to ascertain the fitness levels of the enduring force that is Pieter-Steph du Toit.

Other unlikely starters against the Barbarians are flyhalf Handré Pollard, lock RG Snyman and prop Du Toit, who are yet to complete their club commitments in the northern hemisphere, while utility back Damian Willemse will only be available from the series against Italy.

Erasmus said he will likely name a 42-man squad on Sunday for the clashes against the Barbarians, the two Tests against Italy, as well as the game against Georgia.

He can only do so after the Bulls play their URC final against Leinster.

If new faces are to be introduced to the green and gold this year, they are likely to feature in those Tests.

The second half of the Boks' season is littered with pitfalls, including two away Tests against New Zealand, as well as matchups on the road against Ireland and France.