A youthful World Cup winner may soon make a welcome return to the Springboks’ roster, providing much-needed relief on the injury front.

Although the Springboks’ most recent 39-man roster showed the depth of South African rugby, many of the team’s top players are still sidelined by injuries.

Eight players, including Steven Kitshoff (prop), Jean Kleyn, Lood de Jager (both locks), Cameron Hanekom (flanker), Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf), Henco van Wyk (centre), Canan Moodie, and Damian Willemse (both utility backs), were declared out of contention for selection by the Springboks due to injury.

In the most recent injury update that the Springboks have released, there is some positive news.

For starters, gifted winger Canan Moodie, who underwent surgery earlier this month to fix a broken finger, might be welcomed back to the national squad in the coming weeks.

Although Moodie’s return date was initially unknown, it now appears quite likely that he will be included in the selection process for the Rugby Championship, which begins on August 10 with a match against Australia.

“Cheslin (Kolbe) has been cleared to play, and we’ll manage Edwill (van der Merwe), Faf (de Klerk), and (Makazole) Mapimpi this week, although they should be available for selection for the first Ireland Test,” said Erasmus in regards to more injuries.

The young players who raised their hands against Wales and during the Incoming Series will undoubtedly be considered for selection going into the Rugby Championship, he continued.

With an eye toward the two Test matches against Ireland, Erasmus stated, “If there’s one team that has the upper hand, it’s them,” refusing to get caught up in the Irish teasing. Since 2016, we haven’t triumphed over them.