The Springboks are set to jet off on their end-of-year tour, which will kick off against Japan next weekend, but this weekend’s latest round of the URC has potentially claimed a big injury ‘victim’.
Following the Stormers’ clash against Benetton in Treviso, coach John Dobson revealed that utility back Damian Willemse sustained what could be a very worrying injury for the Springboks.
Fullback is already a position of concern for the Springboks due to an injury to Aphelele Fassi, and Willemse was the only recognised fullback named in the original touring squad.
If he is now ruled out of action, it could lead to a recall for veteran Willie le Roux, especially considering the only other options would be to move someone like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu or Edwill van der Merwe out of position at fullback.
“Damian Willemse has probably got a pulled hamstring,” Dobson said on Saturday. “He was moved to the wing, which I thought was really clever by (captain) Ruhan Nel so that he didn’t have to defend too much.
“It probably puts some of his (Springbok) tour at risk, but the fact that he didn’t want to come off and kept playing for the Stormers was very special.”
Springboks will need to add a player to the touring squad
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Siya Kolisi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls), Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Players on standby:
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Ulster), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Evan Roos (DHL Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sebastian De Klerk (Vodacom Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks).
