Former Sharks lock Gerhard Mostert has been called up to join the Springbok Tri-Nations tour party and will leave France immediately to hook up with the team in New Zealand.
In a supremely ironic twist, Mostert, who decided to pursue a career in France because he believed Bok selection was out of the question, looks likely to make his test debut against the All Blacks, given the heavy injury toll amongst the country’s second-row stock.
Johann Muller has left the tour, having failed to recover from his hamstring injury, while Flip van der Merwe is also struggling with a rib injury. This is in addition to the trio of Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Andries Bekker who are all back in South Africa on the injured list.
The latest developments see Alistair Hargreaves and Danie Rossouw as the only fit options in the bok group, increasing the likelihood of Mostert being rushed straight into the side for Saturday.
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Good news for Mostert, very happy for the guy!
With Hargreves’ being shown up a little at test level, I think Mostert will go straight into the Starting XV.
I might even go as far as saying if Mostert performs well and the other injuries are long term that I’d rather take Mostert than Hargreaves to the RWC.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) :
You don’t think Hargreaves played rather well yesterday? I thought he had a pretty good game.
@Big Fish (Comment 3) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : it’s a moot point… apparently he’s also injured
I would take Mossie over Alistair.
They’re different types of Locks – I think they compliment each other quite well. I thought Hargreaves was one of the better performers yesterday.
@Big Fish (Comment 3) : Nope. I was not to impressed by yesterday’s performance. 🙁
@robdylan (Comment 4) : It’s only really a moot point if the injury will rule Hargreaves out of the RWC.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : @MerckZ (Comment 6) : Hargreaves’ performance was by no means good but compared to the rest of the pack I’d say he was well within the Top 3 performars’ list.
I thought Hargreaves had a really good game. We also did really well in our line-outs and I believe he made the calls.
I saw him getting involved in the rucks and defensively he was strong.
Just because he’s not a show pony like some of our locks, doesn’t mean he didn’t have a good game.
I like Mossie too though and am happy for him. Hope Al’s injury isn’t to serious.
What about recalling Sykes from Ireland or Ross Skeate going over?What about Anton van Zyl? PdV needs to look elsewhere for talent instead of at crocks!Keegan was missed by the Boks, why persist with Stegman?What does Pat Lambie have to do to get a place ahead of Steyn?Ali did play as well as he could.I did not realise how much smaller he is than the Aussie locks. 😯
@markm (Comment 11) : so many questions! But where are the answers? 😆
Only the Bok management can answer!!All the good coaches (like us) were left @ home.
@markm (Comment 13) : fair enough 🙂
We haven’t seen you here in ages! Where’ve you been?
Had a heart attack last year and have been incapacitated. I’m back and look forward to logging on to this awesome blog! 😎
@markm: yes,ali hargs looked a bit skinny compared to the aus locks.need to hit the weight room and eat some red meat.
@robdylan:why would mostert believe that his chances for bok selection are nill?don’t think he was given good advice imho 🙁