The injured Schalk Burger (neck) and Bryan Habana (shoulder) will start taking contact this week and should be fit to play against Argentina in Johannesburg.
News 24 reports that with the exception of Peter Grant and Ryan Kankowski all 30 players in the Springbok Tri-Nations squad will be considered for Saturday’s Mandela Tribute Test against Argentina at Coca-Cola Park in Johannesburg.
Kankowski, who has a grade two tear in his shoulder AC joint should be fit in two to three weeks and is undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the Sharks medical personnel.
Grant will be out for six to eight weeks after surgery to his shoulder, Andy Marinos, manager of national teams, said at a media briefing on Monday.
Schalk Burger (neck) and Bryan Habana (shoulder) will both be ready for Saturday’s match although they had not made contact during training last week. Joe van Niekerk also sat out Monday’s training because of a stiffness in in his calf but will be fit for Saturday.
Marinos referred to captain John Smit who was injured in the first Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks in Wellington over three weeks ago.
“John is recovering well and is starting with muscle activation rehabilitation. He will be ready for the end of the year tour,” Marinos said.
Newcomers to the squad who had not travelled to Australasia, Jaque Fourie and Fourie du Preez, have come through their first week with the Springboks well, and Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was confident that they could contribute immediately.
The Springboks on Monday visited former South African President Nelson Mandela in Houghton who wished them well. “It is always a privilege to be invited by him,” said De Villiers.
Marinos on behalf of the Springboks congratulated the Proteas on their series win over England and wished the Olympic team well for the Beijing Games.
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This article is more as info on the injury situation as i believe there is a blatant error in there. At least I hope it is an error.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
Smit out till the EOYT?
Forget the Mandela tribute… let’s win back the damn Mandela Cup for the old boy… time is running out!
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 2) :
No, the bit I think is wrong is all 30 players in the Springbok Tri-Nations squad will be considered for Saturday’s Mandela Tribute Test against Argentina
SURELY THAT has to be a mistake, why bother releasing them if you are considering selecting them.
But I thought the squad was reduced for this game to 20 odd!??!
Good to hear that Jacque and Fourie came through well…
Will be great to see them contribute…
Still believe that January should be first choice…
@Hmmm (Comment 4) :
24 I believe is the exact figure but that is why I said there is a blatant error in there.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 6) : KSA, I wonder if, after what he said on last night’s news bulletin, PDV in not prone to make some strange decisions and then try to cover for it afterwards? I think I heard him say something to the effect of releasing a player does not mean that he cannot call upon him if needed. But then, I was in a conversation at the time and could easily have heard like I listened?? 😕