LATEST: New worries over another big injury blow for Boks

The Boks will play four Tests on consecutive Saturdays next month – against Ireland in Dublin on 5 November, France in Marseille on 12 November, Italy in Genoa on 19 November and England in London on 26 November on the Outgoing Tour.

The SA ‘A’ team, coached by Mzwandile Stick, will play two mid-week matches – against Munster on Thursday, 10 November, and the Bristol Bears a week later on 17 November.

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In a wide-ranging press conference on Tuesday, it was confirmed that Handre Pollard will miss the Boks’ end-of-year tour due to injury, with Damian Willemse expected to continue at No 10, while Johan Goosen will provide flyhalf cover.

Despite the Boks lacking specialist flyhalf options, Elton Jantjies will not be considered for selection, with director of rugby Rassie Erasmus confirming that the 32-year-old simply hasn’t played enough rugby of late.

Manie Libbok, Gianni Lombard and possibly Jordan Hendrikse could all tour with the SA A team.

In terms of depth at flyhalf, though, more worries have materialised for the Boks now that there is talk that veteran Frans Steyn – who slotted in at 10 during the final Rugby Championship Test – could be ruled out of the end-of-year tour due to injury.

According to OFM Sport, Steyn is carrying a knee injury and there are fears that he may be out of action for a lengthy period, which could include the Cheetahs’ European Challenge Cup campaign that starts in December.

READ | BOK COACHES TO WORK WITH LIBBOK, LOMBARD – REPORT

On Tuesday, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber did discuss the Boks’ flyhalf options for the end-of-year tour, and explained why they were comfortable of coping.

“Handre underwent an operation after the recent Leicester Tigers game,” Nienaber commented on Tuesday. “It will be tough for him to make it in time for this tour.

“Earlier this season when Handre and Elton were out, Damian stepped up nicely. He started a few games for us and then we also used Frans Steyn at flyhalf in the last game of the Rugby Championship.

“Then in our alignment camps we had Johan Goosen with us, and he was also there in preparation camps before the Wales series. He was recovering from injury, but he is now back and getting a go in the URC. So I’ve already mentioned five flyhalves, and then there are also some other players who have been performing well in the URC who we are keeping an eye on.

“So even if we have to be without Handre or Elton, we are still very comfortable with Damian, who has proven himself in the couple of Tests he played at flyhalf. Then it’s nice to have Johan who is able to fill in, and it will be good to see how he could deliver in terms of our system.”

READ | WHY BOKS ARE CONFIDENT OF COPING WITHOUT JANTJIES

PLAYERS INVITED TO BOKS’ TRAINING CAMP:

Props: Thomas du Toit (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe (both DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks)

Hookers: Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks)

Locks: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers)

Loose Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Siya Kolisi (Cell C Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)

Utility Forwards: Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat)

Scrumhalves: Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Jaden Hendrikse (Cell C Sharks)

Flyhalf: Johan Goosen (Vodacom Bulls)

Centres: Jesse Kriel (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)

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

Utility Back: Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers)