Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets

Springboks sweat on Pollard injury

Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard is on a similar trajectory to that of Siya Kolisi in terms of a return to the playing field.

by Wade Pretorius

28-06-2023 09:51

in Rugby

Springboks flyhalf Handre Pollard. Photo: Steve Haag Sports Hollywoodbets

Springboks flyhalf and backline general Handre Pollard is on a similar trajectory to that of Siya Kolisi in terms of a return to the playing field.

“Our only real injury concern for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship is Handre,” said Springboks Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus.

“Eben and Jaden’s test results are looking good, and Damian is good to go.”

Zooming in on Pollard’s injury, Erasmus said: “It’s a calf injury that he injured again when he played for Leicester.

“At this stage he’s in a similar position to Siya (Kolisi) who could be available for the World Cup warm-up games.”

Erasmus also revealed that utility forward Jean-Luc du Preez has joined the squad in Pretoria.

Nienaber allayed fears that Pollard’s injury could set the team back in their preparation for this vital season, which will culminate in the Rugby World Cup in France and said: “No, it’s not a setback in our planning. We have a game strategy and each flyhalf brings their own style and skillset to the game.”

The first Rugby Championship game is nearing and we have a good idea of what the Springboks starting XV will look like against the Wallabies.

EXPECTED SPRINGBOKS LINEUP

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Canan Moodie, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Deon Fourie, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi and 1 Ox Nché.

According to Sunday newspaper Rapport, the likes of Willie le Roux, Lukhanyo Am, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen and Bongi Mbonambi will form the spine of the team.

Springboks Libbok World Cup — Manie Libbok kicks at goal for the Springboks. Photo by Luca Sighinolfi/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix

Meanwhile, fully-fit Manie Libbok will reportedly start alongside Cobus Reinach at halfback, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie will be on the wings.

The Springboks will play three Tests in the abbreviated version of the Rugby Championship, starting with a clash against Australia, which takes place next weekend.

This will be followed by battles against New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland (Saturday 15 July) and Argentina at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg (Saturday 29 July).

ALSO READ: Kolisi hails support of Springbok teammates he can ‘lean on’

The team will then play three Rugby World Cup warm-up games – against Argentina in Buenos Aires (5 August), Wales in Cardiff (19 August) and New Zealand in London (25 August) before travelling to Corsica for a one-week camp en route to Toulon for their opening Rugby World Cup fixture against Scotland on Sunday 10 September.

BOKS TRAINING SQUAD:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Vincent Koch (Stade Francais), Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks), Trevor Nyakane (Racing 92).

Hookers: Joseph Dweba (DHL Stormers), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks).

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers), RG Snyman (Munster), Jean Kleyn (Munster).

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Duane Vermeulen (Ulster), Jasper Wiese (Leicester).

ALSO READ: Springboks news: Kolisi set for early injury return!

Utility Forwards: Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat).

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks), Herschel Jantjies (DHL Stormers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks).

Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Elton Jantjies (Agen).

Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Cell C Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).

Outside Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon), Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Makazole Mapimpi (Cell C Sharks), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls).

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