Springboks suffer injury blow ahead of Argentina tour

Springboks suffer injury blow ahead of Argentina tour

The Springboks returned to the training field on Thursday and will depart for Argentina this weekend ahead of next Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test in Santiago.

Unfortunately, the team suffered a blow as Grant Williams, who started at scrumhalf for the Springboks against the All Blacks in Cape Town last weekend, was ruled out of the touring squad due to a knock to the arm.

Morne van den Berg – who joined the squad in Stellenbosch on Thursday afternoon – will take the place of Williams. The talented Lions star made his debut against Portugal in Bloemfontein and earned his first start in the green and gold against Australia in Perth last month.

“It’s always sad to lose a player to injury, and we feel for Grant who has been waiting patiently for his chance to start this season, which he finally achieved last week,” said Rassie Erasmus.

“But we have great squad depth, and if one player is injured it opens the door for another player to make a statement. Morne has only played to two Tests so far, and facing Argentina at home is a completely different challenge to what he has faced so far, as is the case with many of the younger players in the touring squad.

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“If he receives the opportunity to play, it will be a great way for the coaches to see how he handles with that type of pressure, and it would also be a stern test for him personally.”

The Springboks will battle it out with the Pumas for the Rugby Championship title in their last two matches of the competition in Santiago and at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday 28 September respectively.

Springbok squad for Argentina tour:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls).

Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).

Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Bulls).

Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).

Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls).

Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Lions).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks).

Utility back: Canan Moodie (Bulls).

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