1
Erasmus reveals latest on injured Etzebeth
By Online Editors
Eben Etzebeth picked up a foot injury two minutes into the second half of South Africa's 12-11 defeat to England on Saturday.
The initial prognosis wasn't good with head coach Rassie Erasmus stating in the post-match press conference that the second row was "out definitely for next week and maybe the tour", adding "the way he is walking doesn't look great... and will be a while before he is playing again.”
But now Erasmus says there is a good chance that Etzebeth will be considered for Saturday’s Test against France.
“The injury is not as bad as we initially thought and we will give Eben time until Tuesday to prove his fitness,” he Erasmus.
Faf de Klerk, Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw and Vincent Koch have joined the Springbok squad in Paris and are all available for selection.
De Klerk (scrumhalf) linked up with the South African squad on Monday after Le Roux (fullback), Louw (flank), Koch (prop), Mostert (lock) and Kolbe (utility back) met up with their team mates on Sunday evening in French capital.
Continue reading below...
Watch: Introducing the RugbyPass Index
The nippy scrumhalf and the other European-based Springboks were not considered for the past weekend’s match against England at Twickenham because that match fell outside the official international window.
De Klerk (20 Test caps) was last week named as a 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee, alongside Bok team mate Malcolm Marx (hooker).
“It’s good to welcome Faf, Willie, Cheslin and the others back into the squad,” said Rassie Erasmus, Director of Rugby.
“They bring along some valuable experience and knowledge of the European conditions and we are looking forward to working with them again. All of them will be available for selection for this weekend.”
Watch: Eddie Jones defend Owen Farrell after Springboks win
Trending on RugbyPass
2
'Damaging' Jordie Barrett move only helps All Blacks- ex-Ireland wing
3
OTD – Declan Kidney takes step up into Test rugby
4
Max Deegan opts to stay at Leinster over Ulster move
5
Latest Comments
It’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
Go to commentsDon’t pay a blind bit of notice to Lukie… he likes the sound of his own voice and is always looking for something controversial to say. He has been banging on about Leinster's defensive system all season like he knows something Jacques Nienebar doesn’t. Which is the reason why he didn’t apply for the job obviously
Go to comments