SPRINGBOKS HINDERED BY INJURIES, PLAYERS RETURNING TO CLUBS
Boks buoyed by ability to run in five tries against the All Blacks, but will have to up their game against Australia after a number of changes to the squad
The Springboks will start assembling in Port Elizabeth on Friday ahead of next Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
More players will arrive on Saturday as the Boks prepare for their final two games in the series against Australia and New Zealand in Pretoria on October 6.
Officials said only 4,000 tickets are still available for the PE Test, while the SA versus New Zealand fixture will be played in front of a capacity crowd at Loftus Versfeld.
It is expected the remaining tickets will sell out early next week, ensuring a capacity 46,000 crowd.
SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, said the squad would be further bolstered on Saturday when a number of other players have concluded their provincial duty in the Currie Cup.
“We are still keeping an eye on a number of players who we would like to involve in the coming weeks, but we would first like to see them get through their provincial matches this weekend,” said Erasmus.
It was also confirmed that Damian de Allende (centre), Lukhanyo Am (centre) and Makazole Mapimpi (wing) will not feature in the two home Tests after they were ruled out due to injury.
In addition Willie le Roux (fullback) and Francois Louw (loose-forward) have returned to their English clubs.
The pair featured in the Test matches still up for the Boks in the Rugby Champions series Springboks’ four tournament matches to date, but will not feature in the two home Tests.
“The players had a brief break after returning from New Zealand and I’m sure they will return fresh and energised for the last two matches,” said Erasmus.
“While we lost a couple of players to injury, but we are looking forward to possibly welcome back some others who have been playing for their provinces and recovered from injury.
“The two home matches will give us more time to work together as a group, to build on continuity and increase our depth.”
The Boks scored five tries during their win over New Zealand, but it was their defensive effort of 235 tackles that really stood out.
"I don't know how we scored all those tries. New Zealand have got one of the best defensive systems in the world and we had no ball and scored all those tries," said Erasmus.
"That's a positive for the attack, but the defence was just awesome. I think the guys are starting to trust the system and get used to Jacque Nienaber’s defensive system.
Tickets for the PE Test are available through Computicket and Money Market outlets.