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The Springboks update on the operation-bound Steven Kitshoff
By Warren Fortune
South Africa team doctor Jerome Mampane has provided an update on the injured Springboks pair Steven Kitshoff and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Kitshoff has been out of action for the last couple of months after he sustained a neck ligament injury while playing for Western Province in a Currie Cup match against Griquas.
Last weekend, in an interview with News24, Kitshoff revealed that he had “fusion (surgery) booked for November 20”. There has been speculation that the 32-year-old’s career could be over, but Mampane said a lot needs to happen before an official announcement is made on Kitshoff’s future.
“In terms of whatever announcement that needs to be made we should, hopefully, in the next month or two get some sort of clarity as to what his position is. As I understand from his good friend, he is doing quite a lot of travelling at the moment, so it sounds like he is in good spirits. I don’t know, physicality, if it’s also translating.”
There was a more positive update on Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has been out of action with a knee injury. His last outing was against the All Blacks in Cape Town in September. “From what I have seen from Sacha and the conversations that I have had, it seems he is on the road to mending well,” said Mampane.
Meanwhile, Mampane believes the Springboks are on track to field a fresh pack against England next Saturday despite the six-day turnaround after their 32-15 win over Scotland last Sunday. The Springboks employed a seven/one split between forwards and backs on the bench for the Murrayfield clash to help them achieve that goal.
“We came out of that one pretty much unscathed and the theme in the planning was a lot of freshness,” Mampane explained. “The freshness of players and the freshness around the seven-one split. That is what the coaches planned together as a group and we have achieved that.
“I wouldn’t say training is a little lighter. There are still targets that need to be met and the coaches are as focused as ever. I just think what we required medically and scientifically, was good fresh players. You want to make sure you go into each contest as best as you can and in the best shape.
“If you look at the year we have had with the number of injuries, it’s great to see players like Franco Mostert returning. We are in a good space.”
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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