CRAIG RAY, Johannesburg | Thursday 4.20pm.
SPRINGBOK Robbie Kempson’s World Cup dreams were in tatters on Thursday after learning he needs a hernia operation which will rule him out of rest of the Currie Cup season.
The Western Province prop will have an operation on Friday and will be go out of the game for at least a month — ending his chances of impressing Nick Mallett enough to earn a ‘Bok recall.
“It is a huge blow for me,” Kempson told the Daily Mail & Guardian. “My chances of making the squad for the World Cup are now over.”
“I have had the problem since May, but I have been able to play with it. On Monday I woke up and found that I could hardly walk. I went to the doctor and he told me that it requires an operation soon, so I will be going in on Friday.”
Kempson was too young to earn selection for the 1995 World Cup although he was a surprise inclusion on the bench for the Springboks’ first game as world champions against Wales in 1995.
The 25-year-old was a regular in the test line-up last season and for the first three tests of 1999, but he lost his place after the 29-19 defeat against Wales.
“I was disappointed to lose my place, but I still wanted to try and get back into the squad for the World Cup, but now that will have to wait until 2003,” Kempson said.
Kempson has played 14 tests for South Africa, making his debut against Ireland in Bloemfontein in 1998. — MWP