After recuperating from their injuries, Springbok wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Cheslin Kolbe will play in the Test series against Ireland.
The Springboks’ coach, Rassie Erasmus verified on Wednesday that Arendse and Kolbe are both eligible to play.
Due to a knee injury, Kolbe’s recovery time for the Ireland series was initially uncertain.
Arendse suffered a cheekbone fracture in the United Rugby Championship quarterfinal against Benetton but healed sufficiently to start in the Final against Glasgow Warriors.
In addition, World Cup-winning fullback Willie le Roux of the Bulls would be rejoining the Springboks following his injury sustained in the URC semifinal against Leinster two weeks prior.
It is encouraging to have Kolbe and Arendse back, especially as Edwill van der Merwe, the team’s new star, is dealing with niggles in his shoulder and Makazole Mapimpi, his hamstring. These issues must be resolved in the next ten days before the first Test against Ireland at Loftus on July 6.
“This week, we’ll need to monitor Edwill and Makazolo, but both could be available against Ireland. Erasmus affirmed, “This week, Faf will have to handle.”
Further good news came from Erasmus when he said that Bulls and World Cup-winning winger Canan Moodie might play in the second Test against Ireland on July 13.
Moodie had to have surgery after breaking his finger in the Bulls’ match against the Sharks in the regular league phase of the URC in Durban.
Players like Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom, Jaden Hendrikse, Henco van Wyk, and Damian Willemse will not be available for selection for the series against Ireland.
“We are trying to expose guys to our Springbok environment as much as possible.”
