Springboks confirm Malcolm Marx out with ‘long-term’ knee injury

South Africa have confirmed that hooker Malcolm Marx will miss the rest of Rugby World Cup 2023 with a “long-term” knee injury.

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The 29-year-old, who has 69 caps, sustained the injury in training on Wednesday after getting his knee caught in contact.

The Springboks say that with “sufficient cover at hooker within the squad”, Marx will not be replaced immediately but they will “assess our needs for the rest of the tournament and confirm who we are calling up as an additional player later this week”.

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Marx was named as one of two specialist hookers along with Mbongeni Mbonambi in the original squad, with the versatile Deon Fourie – who also plays in the back row – providing cover off the bench for their second Pool B match against Romania in Bordeaux on Sunday. 

Head coach Jacques Nienaber said another utility forward, Marco van Staden, has also been training at hooker.

Malcolm Marx was one of 21 players with previous Rugby World Cup experience

“First and foremost, we are extremely disappointed for Malcolm, and we wish him all the best in his recovery,” said Nienaber.

“He’s been working very hard to be in the best form possible for the tournament, and it’s tragic that his campaign has ended this way. As a team we will remain in contact with him, as we do with all injured players such as Lukhanyo (Am), Handre (Pollard) and Lood (de Jager), and support him as much as we can through the recovery process.”

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The defending champions beat Scotland 18-3 in their opening Pool B match in Marseille, with remaining fixtures against Romania on Sunday, 17 September, Ireland (23 September) and Tonga (1 October).

Marx was one of 21 players with previous Rugby World Cup experience named in the original squad, nine of whom are appearing at their third tournament. 

Eleven players – Ox Nche, Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Deon Fourie, Jaden Hendrikse, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Andre Esterhuizen, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie – are featuring at their first Rugby World Cup.

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Forwards

Prop

Steven Kitshoff (Ulster – 74 caps, 10 points)
Vincent Koch (Cell C Sharks – 45 caps, 0 points)
Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers – 61 caps, 5 points)
Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks – 19 caps, 0 points)
Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92 – 61 caps, 5 points)

Hooker

Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks – 60 caps, 60 points)

Second row

Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks – 112 caps, 25 points)
Jean Kleyn (Munster – 2 caps, 0 points)
Marvin Orie (Perpignan – 14 caps, 0 points)
RG Snyman (Munster – 26 caps, 5 points)

Flanker

Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz – 69 caps, 30 points)
Siya Kolisi (captain – Racing 92 – 75 caps, 45 points)
Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs – 33 caps, 25 points)
Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls – 12 caps, 0 points)
Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby – 68 caps, 15 points)
Jasper Wiese (Leicester – 22 caps, 5 points)

Utility forward

Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 0 points)
Franco Mostert (Honda Heat – 65 caps, 15 points)

Backs

Scrumhalf

Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles – 48 caps, 44 points)
Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks – 12 caps, 12 points)
Cobus Reinach (Montpelllier – 25 caps, 45 points)
Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks – 4 caps, 0 points)

Flyhalf

Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers – 7 caps, 45 points)
Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers – 31 caps, 36 points)

Centre

Damian de Allende (Panasonic Wild Knights – 72 caps, 50 points)
Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins – 13 caps, 0 points)
Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles – 61 caps, 60 points)

Wing / Fullback

Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls – 10 caps, 50 points)
Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath – 25 caps, 81 points)
Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls – 86 caps, 65 points)
Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks – 38 caps, 115 points)
Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls – 6 caps, 10 points)

Players replaced from original squad of 33: Malcolm Marx