World Cup-winning loosehead prop Os du Randt could miss the Springboks’ crunch Vodacom Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand this weekend after picking up a knock during a training session at Bishops College on Tuesday afternoon.
Du Randt, who has just returned from a 10-day lay-off after suffering his second leg injury of the season shortly before the Ellis Park match, was struck down during a move early in the session on Tuesday.
”It was in the first move,” White smiled wryly afterwards, ”when Pedrie Wannenburg accidentally lummied him in the tackle, but I’m not panicking.”
White was set to make three changes for the crunch encounter at Newlands on Saturday, but now he may have to review his options. It is a match the Boks must win if they hope to retain the title they won in dramatic circumstances last year.
”I’m not panicking,” stressed White, ”After all, we have Gurthro [Steenkamp] who knows all the moves and has played there for the last two Tests.
”Obviously it is a shame, but I don’t think there is any doubt [that Du Randt will be ready for Saturday]. We will know tomorrow.”
Others who failed to participate included fullback Percy Montgomery, lock Victor Matfield and scrumhalf Fourie du Preez.
”Fourie has hurt his groin, Monty is suffering from stiffness and Victor is fine. We just decided to rest him one more day,” explained the coach.
According to White, all three should recover fully by the weekend. Ricky Januarie looks set to return in the number-nine jersey at the expense of Du Preez anyway. The Blue Bulls halfback was lacklustre at Loftus on Saturday and was one of the three preordained changes.
Januarie, who came on midway through the second half, added much urgency and his in-your-face attitude will be needed to unbalance the New Zealanders.
Schalk Burger will return to his familiar number-six jersey, with Joe van Niekerk switching to number eight, meaning the Boks should have a greater presence at the breakdown — something that was lacking against the Wallabies in Pretoria.
Du Randt was hoping to add his experience to the front row, with in-form Steenkamp dropping to the bench for this match, but now he might not get the chance.
Although it is still too early to tell, this latest stumbling block in Du Randt’s career may have robbed the veteran front-rower of perhaps his last opportunity in a Bok jersey on home soil.
Meanwhile, White has indicated he is not worried about the weather and will stick to his team and game plan for this must-win match. According to White, the weather forecast for Saturday is good.
”It is expected to rain on Thursday, but will clear up by Saturday,” he confirmed.
And White expressed his surprise at All Black coach Graham Henry’s decision to play Mils Muliana — usually a fullback — on the left wing at Newlands and leave the dangerous Joe Rockocko on the bench.
”I guess it’s probably for the experience, especially with a new guy like Rico Gear on the other wing.”
Other than that, White views the line-up as the strongest team Henry could have chosen.
White will name his match 22 at a press conference on Wednesday. — Sapa