The good news for the Springboks is that JP Pietersen, Akona Ndungane and Jaque Fourie are all back in the squad for Saturday’s second Test against England at Loftus.
The bulk of the squad, with the exception of the 15 who played against England last Saturday, were training at St Stithians in Randburg on Monday afternoon.
The starting 15 from the weekend were spending time in the gym. However, John Smit and the bench players from Bloemfontein were also present at the training camp.
The other news is AJ Venter, who got married on the weekend, was also back training with the squad.
There are a few niggling injury worries as Fourie was not at St Stithians but was being assessed in the gym.
Os du Randt didn’t train either but was seen running around the field.
Flyhalf Andre Pretorius is still not fully fit but his progress is also being monitored.
An update on the players’ injuries will be announced on Tuesday when Jake White and the full squad will be present at St Stithians.
White was not at the training session on Monday as he was involved in a technical meeting with his advisers at the team hotel.
The squad has been trimmed from 38 to 35 players and a further ten players will go home on Wednesday. However, they will rejoin the squad on Sunday after the Test in preparation for the following week’s game against Samoa.
Team manager Zola Yeye said there were no new injuries but just a couple of bumps and bruises from the guys who played on Saturday.
”It’s going to be great going to the Bull Ring after the success of the Bulls in the Super 14 and the mood in the camp is really, really good,” said Yeye.
”The supporters are really getting behind us and at least 40 000 tickets have been sold,” he added. — Sapa