The Herald (South Africa)

Injury blow a setback for battling Boks

- Craig Ray

SPRINGBOK wing Ruan Combrinck will miss the remainder of the Rugby Championsh­ips after fracturing a leg during Saturday’s 26-24 loss to Argentina in Salta.

Flank Oupa Mohoje was also issued a citing commission­er’s warning for a high tackle, but escaped any suspension.

The sanction will count as a yellow card on his record, though.

Losing Combrinck is another blow to the Bok camp‚ especially as he offers alternativ­e kicking options to the team.

Combrinck was replaced seven minutes before half time by Jesse Kriel after the wing had injured his leg attempting to stop Pumas’ flank Juan Manuel Leguizamon in the act of scoring the home team’s second try.

Combrinck was taken to hospital immediatel­y afterwards for X-rays.

He was one of two players who had to leave the field on Saturday because of injuries.

Flyhalf Elton Jantjies will undergo a scan to determine the extent of a groin injury which forced him off the field soon after the start of the second half.

Morne Steyn replaced him in the 46th minute.

Despite the tight scoreline, the Pumas dominated large portions of the match and took a 13-3 halftime lead. The home team also landed six out of six kicks at goal while the Boks missed four shots at goal between Jantjies and Steyn.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said that the Pumas deserved their win because they made better use of their opportunit­ies.

It was the first win at home for the Pumas over the Springboks.

“I want to congratula­te Argentina for their win tonight in Salta‚” Coetzee said.

“We made some crucial mistakes and they made better use of their opportunit­ies than we did.

“Although we lost Ruan and Elton because of injuries‚ we managed to come back in the second half. However‚ I am disappoint­ed by the many individual mistakes that we committed.

“We had enough opportunit­ies to create scoreboard pressure‚ but we did not take them.

“At test level‚ you must take your opportunit­ies or you will get punished.

“We missed some penalties and also didn’t score tries when we were in a position to do so.

“Credit to Argentina because they really worked for their victory,” Coetzee said.

“We will regroup and work hard to improve as a team so that we can be ready for the next test against Australia in Brisbane.”

That is on September 10.

 ?? Picure: GALLO IMAGES ?? STRONG RUN: Springbok Ruan Combrinck charges through before fracturing his leg against the Pumas
Picure: GALLO IMAGES STRONG RUN: Springbok Ruan Combrinck charges through before fracturing his leg against the Pumas

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