Western Province centre Jean de Villiers has been ruled out of the South African Rugby World Cup team.
De Villiers sustained a serious shoulder injury during Tuesday night’s warm-up match against the Falcons in Springs. On Wednesday morning he saw a specialist and also underwent a scan.
”The injury is serious enough to force him out of the World Cup,” confirmed Springbok media manager Anthony Mackaiser on Wednesday.
He added that the Bok management would get together with the national selectors and are likely to name a replacement for De Villiers some time on Thursday.
It was tough luck for De Villiers, who was called up to the Springbok World Cup squad last Thursday after benefiting from Gcobani Bobo’s knee ligament injury suffered in the first warm-up match against the Cheetahs a week ago.
Flyhalf Louis Koen, who went over on his right ankle late in the game, underwent an X-ray, which showed no signs of significant damage. He will be rested for next two days and will be closely monitored.
Scrumhalf Neil de Kock got a bump to his sternum and he too will not train for the next two days.
”When the team gets together in Johannesburg next Thursday, both Koen and De Kock will undergo fitness tests.
”However, the feeling within the camp is that both will be cleared to go to Australia. They just need time to rest,” said Mackaiser. — Sapa