On the eve of the 2024 Test season, the Springboks had been informed of some important World
The 2024 Test season will begin for the Springboks on June 22 against Wales, and there have been some recent injury concerns to be aware of.
Damian Willemse, the two-time Bok world champion, will require surgery to treat a finger injury, according to a scan conducted earlier this month. The gifted utility back might only make a cameo during the Springboks’ year-ending tour if he is sidelined for four months.
Notable injury concerns have also been raised by the problematic injuries sustained by Sharks players Lukhanyo Am and Jaden Hendrikse, who were both members of the team that won the 2023 World Cup.
Am is dealing with a fractured rib and a shoulder injury, but he won’t be out of commission for very long.
Prior to the Sharks’ game against the Bulls on Saturday, Sharks coach John Plumtree stated that Lukhanyo is still injured and will be sidelined for three to four weeks.
Am will therefore return in time for the July Test series against Ireland, however Jesse Kriel will be a fierce rival for the No. 13 shirt.
Grant Williams and Eben Etzebeth were both out for the Sharks’ last URC match, although Plumtree provided further details on their ailments.
During the game against Gloucester, Grant Williams suffered a hamstring injury. He hasn’t fully recovered yet. Due to his travels, Eben has had some back stiffness, which has not been good.
At the time, he feels a little uneasy. But Jaden Hendrikse appears to be out for a few months due to a major shoulder injury.
THE SPRINGBOKS WILL BE RETURNING SOON.
One month before their first Test match of the season against Wales in London on June 22, the Springboks will begin their second in-person alignment camp on Wednesday in Cape Town.
“It will be great to have everyone together and ensure that the coaches and players are 100% aligned in terms of what we want to achieve and how we plan to approach the season,” said coach Rassie Erasmus in reference to the impending first Test.
“We have a tough year ahead of us, with two Tests against Ireland—the world’s second-ranked team—and our first Test against Portugal in the Incoming Series—all taking place outside of the international calendar.
The Rugby Championship will then commence with back-to-back away Test matches against Australia, two Test matches against New Zealand in South Africa, and two home and away matches against Argentina.
“The sooner we are in sync as a group, the better, as our Outgoing Tour will also function as a comprehensive test with matches against Scotland, England, and Wales scheduled.”
