Rugby: Bok pair out of action for test but not Cup

Marcell Coetzee.

What could have been a nightmare 72 hours for coach Heyneke Meyer has in fact turned into good news for the Springboks.

The already worrying injury situation in the Bok camp could have become a crisis had the injuries suffered by Victor Matfield and Marcell Coetzee against the Wallabies last Saturday been more serious than they in fact are, while the second row stocks have been bolstered by the return to the squad of lock Flip van der Merwe.

Matfield (hamstring) and Coetzee (leg) looked in serious trouble in the defeat to Australia at the weekend and while both are set to miss this weekend's match against New Zealand at Ellis Park, neither is in doubt of missing the World Cup.

The good news got better for Meyer yesterday. Van der Merwe - who some time ago had made himself unavailable for the Boks - has apparently made an about turn and is again set to wear the Bok jumper. He's been called back into the squad to cover for Matfield, while Pieter-Steph du Toit is also on the road to being fit again in time for the world showpiece in England.

Van der Merwe's availability means Meyer has more options to consider in the buildup to the World Cup. With Matfield and Du Toit out of the picture for the time being, the second row positions will be contested for by Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert and Van der Merwe.

"Flip is very experienced and can cover both lock positions, so it made sense to pro-actively assess our options and bring him in," said Meyer yesterday. "We've had a great discussion and he has made himself available to play for the Springboks, which I'm very grateful for. Flip has always put his body on the line for the Boks and it will be great to have him back in the fold."

There will be more clarity on the injuries suffered by Matfield and Coetzee later in the week, once the players have been assessed and further scans are done on their legs. "It's doubtful they'll play this weekend, their chances are slim," said team doctor Craig Roberts yesterday.

The rest of the squad, including Jannie du Plessis, Francois Louw and Schalk Burger, who suffered ailments in Brisbane last Saturday, will apparently be available for selection for the All Blacks test at Ellis Park on Saturday. However, Frans Steyn, Willem Alberts, Fourie du Preez, Duane Vermeulen and Jean de Villiers won't be considered this weekend.

De Villiers played 60 minutes of Western Province's Currie Cup warm-up match at the weekend and indications are he came through the tie without a hiccup. "We'll have a chat to him tomorrow [today], but the plan was that he wouldn't play the first two tests of the season," said Roberts. "The situation might change though," he added, referring to the captaincy issue with Matfield also possibly ruled out for the All Blacks test.

Meyer said De Villiers wouldn't be back to lead the team. "Even though Victor and Schalk are injured, we're not going to rush him back," said Meyer, hinting that Burger may also miss out on Saturday.

Roberts said it was unlikely any fit Boks would be wrapped in cotton-wool until the World Cup in an attempt to keep them fit and healthy. "When you're exposed to rugby there's always going to be a risk of injury. It's something we've discussed before, but the reality is a lot of these guys need game time and I'm keen to see them play."

- Independent Media, South Africa