In a cruel twist of fate, Western Province centre Jean de Villiers, handed a World Cup lifeline only five days ago, could be out of the global showpiece event after injuring his shoulder in the Springboks final warm-up match against the Falcons on Tuesday evening.
De Villiers was called up to the Springbok World Cup squad on Thursday after benefiting from Gcobani Bobo’s knee ligament injury suffered in the first warm-up match against the Cheetahs a week ago.
”It doesn’t look good at this moment,” said Bok coach Rudolf Straeuli, ”and there is a possibility that he could be out of the World Cup.”
”Jean is a world-class player and it will be a bitter blow for him as well as the team,” said Straeuli at the post-match press conference.
Straeuli refused to be drawn on possible replacements, but 1999 World Cup hero Deon Kayser and a fit-again Brent Russell could be in with a shout.
Following Jacques Fourie’s impressive display at outside centre against the Falcons, his move to the midfield could make way for the exciting ”Pocket Rocket” Russell to return to the squad.
The Sharks utility back has recovered from the injury that kept him out of the initial squad and his dynamic play could yet be a feature of this World Cup.
Straeuli said that a decision on De Villiers would probably be made on Wednesday.
De Villiers, a fleet-footed midfielder with great vision, has been in sublime form this season for his province, with only a niggling injury keeping him from making the original 30-man squad.
The Springboks put in a far better display than against the Cheetahs, running out comfortable 74-0 victors after leading 39-0 at the break.
The Boks ran in 14 tries and showed glimpses of the form they will need if they harbour any thoughts of halting the England juggernaut in Perth on October 18.
De Villiers came on for Province teammate De Wet Barry in the 54th minute and immediately made an impact, scoring a superb try with only his second touch of the ball.
The news is a devastating blow to the Springboks’ chances of lifting the William Webb Ellis trophy, leaving Straeuli with few options in the midfield less than two weeks before the squad depart for Australia.
Flyhalf Louis Koen, meanwhile, was sent for X-rays on his ankle, while lock Selborne Boome, who also limped off the field, was given the all clear by the coach.
Captain Corne Krige was pleased with the performance, despite the injury setbacks.
”The Falcons tested us in different areas tonight. It was good match practice, but we still have a few areas to work on,” the Bok captain said.
”We decided not to kick at all, because we wanted as much time to play as possible and I think it worked out well. The support tonight was awesome, but that is something that we have to earn. Our focus is totally on the [World Cup] tournament now.”
Added Straeuli: ”Some things need to be worked on this week and we will work hard, but I’m happy with the way that we played. We scored some excellent tries and the fact that they failed to score any showed that we defended well.” — Sapa