Springboks dealt double backline injury blow ahead of Ireland series

South Africa may be without the services of one of their key backline players when they tackle Ireland in a two-Test series in July.

On the day the Springboks announced they kick off their second in-person alignment camp in Cape Town on Wednesday, it was revealed that utility back Damian Willemse will undergo surgery for a finger injury.

The injury looks set to sideline him for up to four months.

The setback comes on the same day that Sharks Director of Rugby Neil Powell revealed that the Durban-based franchise will be without the services of their captain and double World Cup winner Lukhanyo Am for the rest of the season.

These setbacks arrived a month before the Boks will open their Test season – with a warm-up game against Wales in London on June 22, followed by the series against Ireland.

Willemse’s injury will cause considerable stress to Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson – when he addressed the media after his team’s hard-fought 16-12 win in a United Rugby Championship match in Galway at the weekend – suggested Willemse could be available for the Test series.

However, scans have revealed that surgery is required.

The 26-year-old featured prominently for the Boks at fullback in their victorious World Cup campaign in France last year.

At the Stormers, he floated around the backline and often featured at inside centre.