Springboks forced into squad change ahead of Argentina trip
South Africa scrumhalf Grant Williams has been ruled out of the Springboks' upcoming trip to Argentina for round five of the Rugby Championship.
Rassie Erasmus named his 28-man South Africa squad earlier this week, with the 28-year-old included as one of the three No9s in the squad alongside Cobus Reinach and Jaden Hendrikse.
However, after starting against the All Blacks in Cape Town, Williams has been ruled out due to a knock to the arm and replaced by rookie No9 Morne van den Berg.
The Lions scrumhalf linked up with the squad on Thursday in Stellenbosch before they embark for Argentina on Saturday, where they will face the Pumas in Santiago del Estero before hosting them in Mbombela the following week.
The Springboks already have one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy, and will know one victory from the next two fixtures will guarantee them the title.
“It’s always sad to lose a player to injury, and we feel for Grant who has been waiting patiently for his chance to start this season, which he finally achieved last week,” said Erasmus.
“But we have great squad depth, and if one player is injured it opens the door for another player to make a statement. Morne has only played to two Tests so far, and facing Argentina at home is a completely different challenge to what he has faced so far, as is the case with many of the younger players in the touring squad.
“If he receives the opportunity to play, it will be a great way for the coaches to see how he handles with that type of pressure, and it would also be a stern test for him personally.”
Updated Springboks squad for Argentina tour:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg (Montpellier), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls).
Loose forwards: Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Utility forward: Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg (Lions).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Utility back: Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).
Latest Comments
Me personally? What have YOU achieved? If you simply mean teams, we beat the boks on the biggest stage of all.
Have the syringe boks won anything without playing 10 man rugby and by actually complying with world anti-doping protocols?
Nice being called a peasant by a third worlder.
Go to commentsNo, the British Lions name was changed to placate a woke agenda. Why would the irish team want any part of association with a British team when the country is saying it wants to separate?
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