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The Springboks update on the operation-bound Steven Kitshoff
South Africa team doctor Jerome Mampane has provided an update on the injured Springboks pair Steven Kitshoff and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Kitshoff has been out of action for the last couple of months after he sustained a neck ligament injury while playing for Western Province in a Currie Cup match against Griquas.
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Last weekend, in an interview with News24, Kitshoff revealed that he had “fusion (surgery) booked for November 20”. There has been speculation that the 32-year-old’s career could be over, but Mampane said a lot needs to happen before an official announcement is made on Kitshoff’s future.
“In terms of whatever announcement that needs to be made we should, hopefully, in the next month or two get some sort of clarity as to what his position is. As I understand from his good friend, he is doing quite a lot of travelling at the moment, so it sounds like he is in good spirits. I don’t know, physicality, if it’s also translating.”
There was a more positive update on Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who has been out of action with a knee injury. His last outing was against the All Blacks in Cape Town in September. “From what I have seen from Sacha and the conversations that I have had, it seems he is on the road to mending well,” said Mampane.
Meanwhile, Mampane believes the Springboks are on track to field a fresh pack against England next Saturday despite the six-day turnaround after their 32-15 win over Scotland last Sunday. The Springboks employed a seven/one split between forwards and backs on the bench for the Murrayfield clash to help them achieve that goal.
“We came out of that one pretty much unscathed and the theme in the planning was a lot of freshness,” Mampane explained. “The freshness of players and the freshness around the seven-one split. That is what the coaches planned together as a group and we have achieved that.
“I wouldn’t say training is a little lighter. There are still targets that need to be met and the coaches are as focused as ever. I just think what we required medically and scientifically, was good fresh players. You want to make sure you go into each contest as best as you can and in the best shape.
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“If you look at the year we have had with the number of injuries, it’s great to see players like Franco Mostert returning. We are in a good space.”
Watch the highly acclaimed five-part documentary Chasing the Sun 2, chronicling the journey of the Springboks as they strive to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup, free on RugbyPass TV (*unavailable in Africa)
Sad day if Kitschie’s career ends so suddenly. But a fusion after a neck injury doesn’t sound good.
Get well soon champ.