1
'Handre is a bit of a worry': Pollard sidelined with re-injured calf
By Rugby365
South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has provided an update on the injured players in the Bok camp as the start of the Rugby Championship draws nearer.
On Tuesday, during a media conference in Pretoria, Erasmus said flyhalf Handre Pollard is set to miss the Rugby Championship with his calf injury.
However, Erasmus is hoping the playmaker recovers in time for the World Cup warm-up games in August.
The good news for the Boks is that Damian Willemse is fit again after battling a knee injury in recent weeks.
Erasmus also said that Eben Etzebeth and Jaden Hendrikse (both shoulder injuries) are making good progress and they are on track to be ready for the “back part” of the Rugby Championship.
“I think the only real concern will be Handre,” said Erasmus.
“Damian Willemse is ready to go.”
Erasmus added: “Handre is a bit of a worry.
“It’s a calf injury which he re-injured while playing for Leicester. With a re-injury, we are always a bit nervous and that is the reason why we have Elton [Jantjies] here, so that Handre can fully recover and we don’t push him too early.
“In terms of a date, he is more or less the same as Siya [Kolisi]. We are looking at either that Argentina, Wales or NZ Test match [in August], which is not part of the Rugby Championship.”
The Springboks will start their Rugby Championship campaign against the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, July 8.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Stuart Lancaster takes giant stride towards immediate Racing 92 exit
3
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Joe Schmidt’s future post-Lions
4
Glasgow coach jumps to defence of McDowall who faces possible huge ban
5
Latest Comments
Recent complaints that SA players have a 12-month workload isn't of itself a credible enough excuse to lay at the door of EPCR administrators. If SA clubs want to participate in NH league and club competitions and also participate in SH internationals, then clearly something has to give.
From the EPCR perspective, I do think that the format/schedule issues can be fixed if there's a strong enough desire to remove some of the logistical challenges clubs are facing with these long and frequent trips across the hemispheres.
From the SA player workload perspective however, I'm not sure how players can participate safely and competitively at both the club and international levels. Perhaps - and as Rassie appears to be developing, SA develop a super squad with sufficient player numbers and rotation to allow players to compete across the full 12-month calendar.
Bottom line though, is the geographical isolation is always going to restrict SA's ability to having the best of both worlds.
Go to commentsMoriaty refused to play for wales also he’s injured, France’s is being coy about wales, North in the dark but Sam David and jerad are you joking their not good enough
Go to comments