South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth clashes with Scotland’s James Ritchie during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Stade de Marseille, France. Picture date: Sunday September 10, 2023. Photo: Backpagepix
Springboks issue worrying injury update after RWC win
The Springboks have a major injury concern following their 18-3 victory over Scotland at the Rugby World Cup on Sunday.
South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth clashes with Scotland’s James Ritchie during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Stade de Marseille, France. Picture date: Sunday September 10, 2023. Photo: Backpagepix
The Springboks have been left to sweat on the fitness of star man Eben Etzebeth.
Playing in his 114th Test match, Etzebeth went off early during the 18-3 win over Scotland after a busy opening to the match for the industrious lock.
Springboks issue worrying injury update
Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber says that Etzebeth’s fitness will be assessed on Monday after they receive the results of some scans.
ALSO READ: Who are the all-time most capped Springboks?
The indications are that it is a shoulder injury but there is no word on how severe it really is.
“He will be assessed on Monday, at this stage we have no idea how serious, or not, it is,” Nienaber said.
ALSO READ: Why did the Springboks play Scotland in alternate blue kit
Etzebeth has been in gamechanging form for both the Springboks and Sharks this season and Nienaber will not want to lose him.
Springboks fire
ALSO READ: UFC boss let down by ‘flat and slow’ Israel Adesanya
Nienaber lauded the physical effort put in by the Springboks who denied Scotland any tries in a hard-fought contest.
“They are a team that play with great speed and have got good innovation in terms of how they attack,” Nienaber said.
ALSO READ: Dricus du Plessis reacts to shock Israel Adesanya loss
“We had to be really sharp in terms of cutting off their options. They can create something out of nothing.
“There was a lot of hard work off the field (in the build-up to the game), but also on the field to keep them at bay. It took a lot.”
Chopping The Oaks down to size the only focus
The Springboks will want to tighten up their attacking play after failing to make the most of a dominant first half against Scotland.
“Our next focus is Romania only,” Nienaber said when asked about looking ahead to the other Pool Matches.
“We won’t even think about Ireland. We also need to fix the things we got wrong tonight.”
Do you think the Springboks can win the Rugby World Cup again?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
You can also follow @TheSAnews on Twitter and The South African on Facebook for the latest 2023 Rugby World Cup news.
