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Springboks coach reveals Eben Etzebeth under injury cloud for All Blacks

Eben Etzebeth poses after the Springboks World Cup win. Photo by Adam Pretty - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

Springboks assistant coach Deon Davids has revealed that Eben Etzebeth is under an injury cloud ahead of this weekend’s clash with the All Blacks. RG Snyman will also miss the Test as an injury crisis sweeps through the team’s second-row department.

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Etzebeth has long been regarded as one of the best locks in international rugby, with the hulking 2.03-metre lock starring in South Africa’s run to back-to-back Rugby World Cup crowns. The 32-year-old recently stepped up as a captain for most of the win over Australia in Perth.

However, less than a week out from one of the best Test matches of the year between arch-rivals South Africa and New Zealand, Etzebeth is at risk of missing the clash at Ellis Park. The Springboks are waiting for feedback from team doctors before ruling the lock out.

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The Springboks will have their depth at second-row put to the Test in a rematch of last year’s Rugby World Cup Final, with the likes of Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ben-Jason Dixon among those in the mix to step up for the injured Etzebeth and Snyman.

Snyman, 29, was withdrawn from the Springboks’ team to play the Wallabies in Brisbane earlier this month less than an hour out from kick-off. While the dual World Cup winner returned to face the Aussies in Perth, the Munster is expected to watch on from the sidelines again.

“Salmaan (Moerat) follows a normal protocol for HIA so unfortunately he won’t be available for selection for this game,” assistant coach Deon Davids told reporters in Johannesburg.

“At this stage, we know that guys like Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn are out with injury.

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“At this point of time, a guy like RG Snyman is also unavailable due to a leg injury. Unfortunately, I can’t go into detail in terms of that so he will be out for a couple of weeks.

“At this point of time, Eben Etzebeth is also struggling with a bit of a niggle so it’s also something we’ll look at in terms of his availability for this coming week.

“But luckily, at the end of the day… we’ve got some good depths in terms of guys that have played up until now in those positions.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
4
Draws
0
Wins
1
Average Points scored
23
18
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
60%

“It will always be tough when you lose some experience but it’s also a great opportunity, an exciting opportunity to see the quality and what the next guy can bring in the squad.”

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While the Springboks have their own second-row issues to manage this week, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson will once again turn to a new crop of players to step in the shoes of giants. Of course, they no longer have legendary duo Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock in the mix.

Patrick Tuipulotu played two Test matches against England in July but the Blues captain hasn’t made the trip out to South Africa. Captain Scott Barrett joins a young group of players as options at lock including Sam Darry, Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i.

“Scott Barrett, he will be back this week and I think he will be massive to have him back from a leadership point of view but also in terms of a playing point of view,” Davids explained.

“Yes, Whitelock and Retallick are quality players and any team that loses that quality will take them some time to build on that but I think there’s some good youngsters coming through and with the leadership and the assistance of Barrett and Tuipulotu and those guys around them.

“I think they will grow in stature.”

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Comments

1 Comment
J
JK 191 days ago

So the boks are down 5 locks now? Eben, Rg, Moerat, Klein and Mostert? That's awful luck. I would guess PTSD moves to lock and they bring back Jason Ben Dixon at 6

a
adamdeswardt 191 days ago

and Lood

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Paige Usher 23 minutes ago
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RedWarriors 1 hour ago
France change two for Ireland but stick with 7-1 bench tactic

We will see how much these big French lads can run. England kept fatigue pressure on France by keeping kicks infield. A lot of kick tennis will suit Ireland as these buffallo will have to run up and down the pitch. Prendergast, Lowe, Osborne, Keenan. 4 Big kickers in the starting line up. You cannot have a stop/start match allowing this big guys to be rested before every scrum and play. Need a baseline of fatigue to bring the ceiling of damage they can do down.

France are confident which is dangerous for Ireland but also dangerous for France. The confidence and standards can drop if expectations are not met.


A stat I did see was disquieting. France are converting 56% of their 22 entries to tries. They scored a lot versus Italy, but missed a lot against England.

This resembles a bit the damage Toulouse were doing after line breaks. Flament was all over this. The defence will need to be excellent and our best defender Ringrose will not be there. That said versus England we conceded 3 points in 68 mins. We conceded 11 in 75 against Scotland but we were messing for 7 of that.

It is hard to score against Ireland.

When Aki came on versus Wales we scored 19 points in half an hour which was roughly France’s scoring rate against Wales in Paris.

France will score, but Ireland with a full performance should outscore.


As rgds the 7-1 split, Ireland will inflict physical damage like versus Springboks in Durban. I think France are underestimating Ireland’s physicality and I will be surprized if that split doesnt cause problems and backfire a little.

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