South Africa are facing a front-row crisis ahead of Sunday’s World Cup quarterfinal clash against Fiji.
BJ Botha has already been forced out of the competition with knee ligament damage suffered in the 64-15 Pool A win against the United States last week, while fellow tighthead prop CJ van der Linde has bruising on one of his knees.
Specialist tighthead Jannie du Plessis has been summoned to join the squad but he wasn’t due to start training until later on Wednesday.
”CJ got a bang on his knee. We’re hoping it’s a repeat of a bruise from the weekend. He’s saying it’s sensitive there,” said South Africa coach Jake White.
Veteran loosehead prop Os du Randt, who played in South Africa’s 1995 World Cup-winning team, could be switched but admitted he is not looking forward to the prospect.
”Suddenly losing two of the best tightheads is always a concern. Injury is part of the game, but you have to adapt and make the best of a sad story,” said du Randt.
”I’ve played 30 or 40 minutes at tighthead, so I’m not really comfortable with it.
”Jannie du Plessis will be here as a replacement for BJ Botha; even John Smit would be a better choice than I would be.”
White believes the Marseille crowd will be backing the underdogs of Fiji on Sunday but hopes the Springboks can also get the fans behind them as the game wears on.
”That has been happening for four weeks in a row – against Samoa, England, Tonga and United States,” said White.
”That’s part of the psyche of the World Cup. If you wear the underdog tag it gets you the support of the crowd, but if you play well the crowd swings and comes on to the winning team.”
Meanwhile, South African players are looking forward to playing at the Stade Velodrome, claiming the venue reminds them of Cape Town and their Newlands ground.
”I couldn’t ask for a better set up. It’s just like being in South Africa,” said winger Bryan Habana.
”We’re looking forward to a big crowd. I think the vibe and the support should be unbelievable.” — AFP
