The Springboks have given an injury update ahead of their final Test of the year, and clarified whether they will release any players.
The team is expected to easily beat Wales in their last match of the season this Saturday, with coach Rassie Erasmus likely to make several changes to the side that played against England.
Erasmus will announce the team to face Wales at 16:30 (SA time) on Tuesday, 19 November. Several first-choice players are expected to be rested for the match.
The good news is that there are no major injury concerns in the Springbok camp. Ox Nche, who had been nursing a knee injury, has recovered and is available for selection.
At a press conference on Monday, assistant coach Deon Davids was asked if any players who are not part of the match-day squad would be sent home.
“Everyone will train with us this week,” Davids confirmed. “Ox had a cut above his knee, but he’s recovered well. He worked in the gym this morning, and like all the other players, he is available for selection.”
“There are a few players with bumps and bruises, but there are no major concerns at this stage,” he added.
When asked about team selection following Erasmus’ earlier comments about giving every player on tour a chance to play, Davids said, “We always try to select the best team according to the opposition’s strengths. We want to win this Test, so we need to balance getting the right result with building for the future.”
“We have a core group of senior players with experience and leadership, but every player in this squad is capable of playing at this level,” he continued.
Davids also commented on two players in particular: Johan Grobbelaar (hooker) and Cameron Hanekom (loose forward), the only uncapped player in the squad.
“Johan has been with us longer than Cameron, but he plays in a position with established players like Malcolm (Marx) and Bongi (Mbonambi). If he gets an opportunity, I’m sure he’ll take it,” Davids said.
Of Hanekom, Davids praised him as “a great athlete, a quick learner, and a talented player who can play in all positions in the loose trio.”
The Springboks traveled from London to Cardiff by bus on Sunday and began their preparations for the match on Monday afternoon.
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