Springboks: Props careers over? – UPDATE

Two Springbok veterans, two household names in SA rugby face an unlikely return to the green and gold.

Springboks prop, Steven Kitshoff underwent fusion neck surgery on Wednesday, 20 November 2024.

Meanwhile, another Boks veterans days in the green and gold are likely numbered. Here is the latest on both former ‘Bomb squad members’.

SPRINGBOKS PROP BOK DAYS ARE LIKELY OVER

Trevor Nyakane is a Springbok fan-favourite.

From his groovy moves off the field to hitting opponents backwards in the scrum, on the field. Nyakane made a name for himself as a powerful scrummer, ball career and solid tackler.

However, at 35 he is unlikely to feature in the next Rugby World Cup. Furthermore, Rassie Erasmus’ recent squad selection is a clear indication that Nyakane is no longer part of the Bok plans.

Despite, injuries to Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe, Nyakane did not make the Springboks end of year squad. Meaning, the likes of Ox Nche, Malherbe, Gerhard Steenakamp, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch and even Wilco Louw are ahead in the pecking order. Meanwhile, even Jan-Handrik Wessels got some exposure during the Rugby Championship against Australia.

KITSHOFF UNDERGOES CAREER-DEFINING SURGERY

Kitshoff had to undergo career-defining fushion surgery to his neck.

“It’s bit of stressful one. It’s such a high area in my neck as well, C1-C2, which is a bit of an issue,” Kitshoff to IOL.

So, well he is still young enough to mix it up with the big boys. Such injuries are very hard to overcome when you look at the physical demands of rugby. Moreover, as a prop, your neck is under constant strain in the scrum. Therefore, his return is more unlikely than likely.

However, the Springboks are built differently. Schalk Burger returned from series neck surgery in 2006 after being told he may never play again. More recently, Siya Kolisi made a miraculous recovery from a serious ACL injury that many thought would rule him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

DO YOU THINK NYAKANE AND KITSHOFF WILL EVER PLAY FOR THE BOKS AGAIN? WHY, WHY NOT?

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