Springboks Hit by Injury Blow Ahead of Test Season

Five Senior Boks are Likely to Sit Out Most, if Not All, of the 2025 Season and Rassie Erasmus is Already Rethinking His Roadmap.

The Springboks’ first camp of the year is officially underway in Johannesburg, but a shadow hangs over what was meant to be a hopeful start. With a 55-man squad named and preparations for a busy Test season kicking off, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus delivered a sobering injury update that’s left fans and pundits alike doing a mental reshuffle of the team sheet.

Who’s On the Long Road to Recovery?

Among the hardest-hit are some of the Boks’ front-row enforcers and rising back-row talents. Props Trevor Nyakane and Frans Malherbe are both set for extended spells on the sidelines. They’re joined by Deon Fourie, Elrigh Louw, and young Cameron Hanekom – the latter having picked up a knock during the URC semi-final against the Sharks.

Erasmus was candid about the concerns around the depth at loosehead. Bulls prop Gerhard Steenekamp and Sharks powerhouse Ntuthuko Mchunu both need medical clearance before they can be considered for action. Steenekamp will also miss the URC final against Leinster, compounding the Bulls’ woes.

New Faces, Familiar Setbacks

Juarno Augustus is one of nine uncapped players included in the Springbok squad – but his debut may be delayed. The former Stormers loose forward, now with Northampton Saints and set to move to Ulster, sustained a late-season injury. His transition between clubs could complicate his availability for national duty.

Similarly, Pieter-Steph du Toit, who missed the entire Japan Rugby League One season, hasn’t been seen in action yet by the Bok coaches. While he’s reportedly nearing full fitness, Erasmus was cautious not to set expectations too high.

Ben-Jason Dixon is also nursing an injury and won’t be available until July.

Lukhanyo Am and Other Walking Wounded

Sharks midfielder Lukhanyo Am, a key figure in the Boks’ backline, is still battling a knee injury. Meanwhile, the ever-dangerous Makazole Mapimpi is expected to be out for about 10 days after tweaking his hamstring – relatively minor, but still a speed bump in his comeback.

There’s better news for Jasper Wiese and scrumhalf Grant Williams. Wiese should be fit in time for the Barbarians clash, while Williams is set to return by the first official Test against Italy – or “by the Georgia game at the latest,” according to Erasmus.

What this Means for the Boks’ Season

With a demanding year ahead that includes Rugby Championship fixtures and World Cup build-up plans, the injuries have already forced Erasmus to adapt. Speaking frankly, the coach said he’s unlikely to select many of the Bulls players for the Barbarians match due to their late arrival from the URC final.

And in an additional blow, playmaker Damian Willemse will only be available for the Italy Tests as he serves a suspension.

Former Bok skipper Jean de Villiers recently warned that the crowded rugby calendar is taking a toll on players, saying the “year-round schedule” is undermining South Africa’s ability to stay at the top. With this growing list of injuries, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

The Bigger Picture

South Africa’s road to defending their Rugby Championship crown – and eventually their World Cup title in 2027 – was never going to be easy. But with key players out and others still nursing knocks, Erasmus and his coaching team will need to dig deep into their player pool.

For now, fans can expect a mix of experience and experimentation when the Boks run out against the Barbarians. And as always in South African rugby, adversity tends to bring opportunity – the question is, who will seize it?

Source:Sabc Sport 

Read more: Rassie’s Rumble: Bulls Eye Glory in Dublin Showdown with Bok Spots on the Line

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