The Springboks are facing an anxious wait on the status of Damian Willemse, who suffered a game-ending injury while on duty for the Stormers on Saturday.
The Springboks’ 34-man squad are scheduled to fly out of South Africa on Sunday for their three-Test tour of Europe, but Rassie Erasmus and his coaching staff are now facing a huge potential injury setback following Willemse’s injury-enforced withdrawal from a URC game a before the national squad’s depature.
Willemse, who was selected at inside centre for the Stormers’ crucial clash against the defending URC champions, started the game well and crossed for the first try of the game. But directly after dotting down, he pulled up with what appeared to be some discomfort in his groin area.
That was in the 33rd minute of play and the Springboks ace was immediately withdrawn from the field. And by the start of the second half, it was confirmed that Willemse will not be returning to the action with no further details given.
WATCH: SPRINGBOKS ACE PULLS UP WITH INJURY
The Springboks will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday 10 November), England in London (Saturday 16 November) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday 23 November) on their traditional end-of-year tour.
The squad – which will be led by Siya Kolisi, a key figure along with most of the squad members in the team’s triumphant Rugby Championship campaign – will depart for a training camp in Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands between England and France, on Sunday 27 October. The group will then make the journey to Edinburgh on Sunday 3 November for their opening Test of the tour.
The Bok coach admitted that selecting the squad – consisting of 18 forwards and 16 backs – was challenging given the depth they had built up this year. A total of 49 players have taken the field for the Springboks in 2024 and 35 played in the Rugby Championship.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS SQUAD?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this TSA Springbok article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news and views.
