DUANE PAIN
COETZEE: COACH SAYS THE FLANK’S INJURY IS ‘SEVERE’
Du Preez or Mahoje could take his place for the first Test.
Ahead of the much-anticipated opening Test against France at Loftus Versfeld, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee yesterday remained philosophical despite losing Duane Vermeulen to injury.
Vermeulen’s shoulder injury, described by Coetzee as “severe’’, suffered in the French Top 14 final for Toulon against Clermont on Sunday, will see him missing at least the first Test. It will open the door for Jean-Luc du Preez or Oupa Mohoje in the No 7 jersey.
“What you lose on the swings you might gain on the rounda- bouts, so there’s no perfect or identical fit. I’ll have to make sure we have the best of what Duane could’ve brought,” Coetzee said.
“What I think one should look out for is the way you want to play and what his assets of a player has been, you have to weigh up setpiece, a big ball-carrier and what we are facing.”
Coetzee said one always has a vision of selecting the best possible team, but in reality it never happens.
“Obviously Duane comes with massive experience and a good knowledge of the French, he is a world-class player,” said Coetzee.
“But I have no doubt the opportunity given to other players given the attitude I’ve seen over the last week is a good indication they will play their part.
“We are aware of that in this game, but we’ll wait until he comes back on Tuesday (today) and a doctor will take him for further scans and see a specialist, but he is out for the first Test.”
Centre Damian de Allende will also play no part after failing to recover from a quad injury, while midfield partner Lionel Mapoe probably won’t recover in time from a hamstring injury.
“Damian has not recovered sufficiently from his injury which happened in the last Super Rugby game, so he is also not available for the first Test,” said Coetzee.
“Lionel is up against time and will be on the training field for the first time in a controlled environment, but he is also coming back from a hamstring strain.
“It’s disrupting because we have been preparing with the players who were at our camps and especially last week’s camp in Plett so we have trained with those players. But we have other quality players who have trained hard and well who I’m sure will fit into the plan.”