The Springboks will likely be without a host of top players when they clash with a World XV in their season-opener next Saturday, with captain John Smit the biggest casualty.
Smit has been laid low by a recurring groin injury and his place will likely be taken by the Bulls’ Gary Botha, who had to return to Pretoria for personal reasons and will be expected back in Bloemfontein for the training camp this week.
Two of the squad’s other hooker’s, Hanyani Shimange and Danie Coetzee, did not train, with the latter likely to leave the camp with a foot injury. If Shimange does not recover then there will be no cover at hooker and Jake White may have to call a player up, maybe Schalk Brits, who was left out of the 45-man squad.
Os du Randt will probably not be fit and the Boks may well field a severely depleted front-row, and with Bakkies Botha not available, there may be a decided lack of grunt in the South African pack.
It was mooted that Wikus van Heerden would lead the team in Smit’s absence but he did not run much in what looked to be White’s starting team in Wednesday morning’s training session.
With Butch James having joined the injured list, to go with the six players hurt while not in camp, and coupled with the latest setbacks, it would seem the injury crisis is no closer to being resolved.
The lack of quality out-and-out wingers is also a potential problem, but two players likely to fill that role, Andre Snyman and Jaque Fourie, believe there is no problem with pace and experience out wide.
The pair of converted centres spoke to the media on Wednesday and did not paint a picture of gloom out wide. They instead believed the Springboks are adequately covered in that regard. With Bryan Habana out injured, Breyton Paulse arrives next week to add some much-needed specialist experience. — Sapa