Coetzee calls on Dreyer after Malherbe blow
LIONS PROP Ruan Dreyer has been drafted into the Springbok squad after Frans Malherbe was ruled out through injury.
Malherbe underwent scans in Port Elizabeth yesterday to determine the cause of his neck pain, and it was confirmed that the front-rower will most likely miss the 2017 Rugby Championship campaign.
Springbok doctor Konrad von Hagen also confirmed that follow-up scans would be done in two weeks’ times on the Stormers tighthead.
“Frans consulted a neurosurgeon in PE who suggested extended rest for the player, with follow-up scans to be done in two weeks’ time,” Von Hagen said.
There are also concerns about Lions scrumhalf Ross Cronje’s availability for Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against Argentina at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5pm kickoff ).
Von Hagen explained that Cronje was struggling with an injury picked up in the Super Rugby final, and said he would be monitored to see if he can take contact towards the end of this week before they make a decision on his availability.
“Ross Cronje didn’t train last week due to sternoclavicular joint and first-rib joint discomfort that he sustained in the (Super Rugby) final,” Von Hagen said.
In more positive news for the Boks, Von Hagen confirmed that Lions loose forward Jaco Kriel, who struggled with flu last week, is back at full training, while Lions hooker Malcolm Marx has recovered from a bruised shoulder.
“Jaco Kriel is back to full training and Malcolm Marx had a contusion to his rotator cuff (also sustained in the Super Rugby final) and he’s also back to full training,” Von Hagen said.
Von Hagen also confirmed that Handre Pollard, who took full part in yesterday’s training session, would continue to be monitored while training with the squad. He also revealed that although his progress has been good, he is not in contention for this weekend as he has not completed his rehabilitation program yet.
“Handre Pollard took part in full training sessions on Thursday and Friday, and we’ll continue to let him train with the squad and that way work on his fitness and complete his final phase of rehabilitation,” Von Hagen said.
Meanwhile, the Bok doctor confirmed that regular skipper Warren Whiteley successfully underwent surgery on Friday and that his initial prognosis of six weeks on the sidelines still applies. Assistant coach Johan van Graan said that while it’s tough to replace Whiteley, he has been impressed by the Boks’ current loose-trio corps.