Earlier this week, The South African reported that at least four players are likely to miss the start of the Springboks’ Test season.
From Ethan Hooker to Lood de Jager to RG Snyman to Frans Malherbe, these are all top players still facing extended periods out of the game due to injury.
Now, in the latest bit of bad news, Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach had to be replaced midway through the second half of the Stormers’ URC game this past weekend.
The veteran scrumhalf who started a host of Test matches last year, appeared to have suffered a serious knee injury, and was seen wearing a brace after the game.
Concern for the Springboks
After the game, Stormers coach John Dobson said there were some initial fears it could be a long-term injury.
“I don’t see that being a quick turnaround. It looks like a ligament, possibly medial. Hopefully it’s not an ACL, but it’s serious enough to keep him out for a while.”
Extensive injury list
Pieter-Steph du Toit is in a race to be ready for the start of the new Test season, while Aphelele Fassi is still recovering from shoulder surgery.
Eben Etzebeth, who suffered a hip injury in a recent match against Connacht, also joins fellow Springboks Bongi Mbonambi, Grant Williams and Jordan Hendrikse on the Sharks’ ‘unavailable’ list for the rest of the domestic season.
