The Springboks have been dealt a massive blow to their chances this year with the news that flanker Schalk Burger has been ruled out of rugby until January 2007.
It is the latest in a string of injuries that are catching up with the Boks, and following the scrappy performance in beating the Scottish in Port Elizabeth at the weekend, coach Jake White must be a worried man.
A devastated White confirmed this at a news conference at the team hotel on Monday. Burger will only be back in action in next year’s Super 14 after the initial diagnosis had him missing only the next three weeks.
Burger injured his neck during the 29-15 second Test win over Scotland on Saturday and started feeling numbness on one side of his body later that evening.
”It’s like losing three players,” White told reporters. ”I’m worried about the long-term effects of the injury — I’m not sure if it’s career-threatening. ”
White will now probably move Joe van Niekerk from eighthman to flank and introduce either Jacques Cronje or Pedrie Wannenburg at the back of the scrum for the vital Test against the French at Newlands on Saturday.
The loss of the talismanic former World Player of the Year is a huge setback for White’s team as they attempt to become the first Bok outfit to beat France at Newlands.
”This morning the diagnosis was that he would be out for three weeks and an hour later I was told he was out for six months,” a shell-shocked White added.
In other injury news, Andre Snyman may be fit to take his place after reports that he had broken his wrist were found to be false. The X-ray scan revealed tissue bruising and he may be joined by lock Bakkies Botha, who resumed training on Monday.
However, Breyton Paulse will miss the French Test with a hamstring injury and midfield pairing Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie are still nursing rib injuries and are doubtful.
Captain John Smit was far from his best in the second Test against the Scots and seems in need of a rest urgently. Western Province centre De Wet Barry, meanwhile, rejoined the squad on Monday as cover for the injured centres.
The Springboks take on Six Nations champions France in a one-off Test at Newlands on Saturday. A win will stretch their unbeaten home run to a Bok record of 14. — Sapa