Bok injury list shortening at quick pace as big guns expected to return

The Springboks may have lost Jean Kleyn to a knee injury this past week and are missing regular captain Siya Kolisi with a stiff achilles, but generally the Bok injury list is getting a lot shorter in extra quick time.

Coach Rassie Erasmus gave an update on Tuesday at the team announcement ahead of Saturday’s Castle Lager Incoming Tour test against Italy at Loftus Versfeld and it was generally good news.

And while there are still some players out with injury, Erasmus is confident that a number of them will return soon, including four big guns for next weekend.

“I don’t have the list in my head here, but I just spoke to Ntuks (Ntuthuko Mnchunu) on the phone and we thought it would be a six or seven week injury but it is looking good for him. Obviously we have Boan (Venter) in for cover there.

“Frans Malherbe is out for the season, Jean Kleyn has a knee injury, definitely out for six weeks. Munster will give more clarity on that because he is their player, but we think it will be at least six weeks.

“Jean-Luc (Du Preez) is just... I said it to answer for other players earlier this year, and I got it wrong, but his wife is giving birth this weekend, so that's why Jean-Luc is going back to England.”

Erasmus added that Kolisi would be ready for the second test against Italy in Gqeberha, which is his hometown, while others who are likely to return include World Player of the year Pieter-Steph du Toit, scrumhalf Grant Williams and winger Makazole Mapimpi. All four should be ready for the second test against the Italians.

Longer term injuries will see both Lukhanyo Am and Gerhard Steenekamp only return in the Rugby Championships, but the Boks have a lot of depth to choose from at the moment and could easily select two test teams that could go into battle this weekend.