Gurthro, Bismarck to miss England clash

Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis and prop Gurthro Steenkamp will miss the world champions’ match against England at Twickenham on Saturday due to injuries sustained in last weekend’s victory over Scotland.

Team doctor Craig Roberts said on Monday that Du Plessis, who started in the 14-10 win at Murrayfield, had sustained a grade two tear in his hamstring, whilst Steenkamp, who came off the bench in Edinburgh, had sprained his ankle.

Roberts added that Brian Mujati, a replacement prop against the Scots, had a bruised shoulder while star wing Bryan Habana had suffered a thigh knock.

However, both men are likely to be fit for selection.

Meanwhile, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, who missed the Scotland match with a strained quadriceps muscle injury, will undergo further assessment by the medical team before a decision is taken on his availability.

Sharks prop Jannie du Plessis, called up on Sunday in the event of possible front-row withdrawals, has now joined up with the squad in London.

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers is expected to name his side to play England on Tuesday.

Saturday’s match will be the first time the teams have met since last year’s World Cup final, when South Africa beat England 15-6 at Paris’s Stade de France.—AFP