KEY POINTS:
DURBAN - Just when you thought you'd seen the last of Bob Skinstad, he was today tipped as a likely replacement Springboks rugby captain against the All Blacks here on Sunday (NZT).
Regular skipper John Smit has a hamstring injury and is considered a highly doubtful starter for the Tri-Nations test at Absa Stadium, leaving lock Victor Matfield as his likely replacement.
But the Johannesburg Star newspaper reported loose forward Skinstad had impressed coach Jake White more with his leadership when he replaced Smit during the test against Samoa on June 9.
White is reportedly unimpressed with replacement captain Matfield's decision to pass up two shots at goal late in the tense 22-19 win over the Wallabies last weekend.
Skinstad was nowhere to be seen in last year's Tri-Nations but made regular appearances off the bench for the Sharks in this season's Super 14 and forced his way into White's squad.
He has led the Springboks in 10 of his 34 tests.
A medical update from Springboks management today ruled none of their injured brigade out, but confirmed hooker Bismarck du Plessis had been called in as cover.
Smit said he could not remember the last time he was assisted off the field due to injury after he limped off the Newlands ground in Cape Town last Sunday (NZT).
"You don't get too many forwards with a hammy, but my spokes got stuck in the ground during a scrum and I soon realised that I couldn't continue," he said.
The Bulls' Gary Botha will likely start at hooker were Smit ruled out.
There were two other injury concerns in the Springboks camp, with flanker Juan Smith (thigh) and prop Gurthro Steenkamp (knee) both leaving the field during the match against the Wallabies.
Giant prop Os du Randt will likely make his return against the All Blacks.
White names his team tomorrow night (NZT).
- NZPA
